Al-Shabaab ransacks village in Kenya as Governor calls for help

MANDERA, Kenya - A few days after Mandera Governor Ali Roba called for government actions in the region following increasing cases of the attacks waged by the Al-Shabaab, the militants on Saturday ransacked a village in the region, leading to a fierce gunfight with security forces.

Reports indicate that Al-Shabaab militants and Kenya security forces fought at Wako Dadacha village in Banisa Sub County of Mandera, leaving one civilian dead and another one critically injured, after about 5 hours of fighting.

Banisa is located almost 150 kilometers West of Mandera town and is one of the regions which is considered safe given the distance from the Kenya-Somalia border, where Al-Shabaab militants are said to be in control. This is the second attack in the region in as many months.

The incident comes a few days after Governor Roba claimed that "over half of Mandera is now under Al-Shabaab. This is quite dangerous for our internal security and our people must be protected by the government. We are bearing the brunt of Al-Shabaab."

He added: "Despite the presence of security forces, things aren't in good shape and the government must immediately act. The team is collecting Zakat from locals besides unleashing terror. Time has come for the government to make security a priority in this region."

But the government refuted claims on Saturday arguing that security officers have managed to drive Al-Shabaab from the region. According to the government, the Al-Shabaab has since crossed over to Somalia following spirited operations within the northeastern region.

"Contrary to the Governor’s claims, since 2013, Mandera County has registered steady gains through our security forces who have been repulsing and deterring threats to lives and property," Northeastern regional coordinator Nicodemus Ndalana said.

Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa remain Al-Shabaab hotspots and in the last ten years, several civilians especially non-locals have been targeted by the militants. In fact, the government was forced to withdraw several teachers from the region who are not locals.

GAROWE ONLINE