The government has deployed additional security forces to pursue terrorists and enhance security in Mandera County, near the Kenya-Somalia border, about 2 kilometers away from the neighboring Bula Hawa town in Somalia, according to Eric Kiraithe.
This comes after an attack on the town early Thursday morning which lead to the death of six people. The assailants used explosives and assault weapons. Security forces responded rapidly to the attack, rescuing 27 individuals and repulsing the assailants. The attackers escaped across the border into Somalia.
Although there was intelligence on an impending attack the information was not substantiated and he emphasized that intel is not a substitute for civic responsibility. The response of the attack has been noted as being divisive.
Kiraithe condemned the leader of the opposition, Raila Odinga, over the call he made to his supporters from around the country to take up arms and forcibly eject IEBC commissioners from their offices.
This comes at a time when IEBC commissioners had concluded negotiations with the government and agreed to vacate office. Indeed IEBC commissioners yesterday tendered notice of resignation, in accordance with the recommendations of a Joint Select Parliamentary Committee drawn from all political parties including ODM.
Kiraithe said, “It is not lost on any observer that the opposition is incurably disorganized and unlikely to present any meaningful political competition.”
He said there is no single Kenyan who should think that they are above the law and that action will be taken against anyone will attempt to use violence to achieve political objectives will be dealt with firmly.
He added that it’s up to each and every one of us to preserve and maintain peace and security and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. According to Kiraithe, “We are together in condemning acts of terrorism.”
The government through their spokesperson has expressed condolence to the families of the affected.