Monday August 20, 2018
By STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Northeastern regional commissioner Mohamed Birik /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Newly appointed Northeastern regional commissioner Mohamed Birik has
warned bus companies and transporters against ferrying aliens from
Somalia to Nairobi.
On Saturday, he said the government is monitoring bus companies and
the transporters. “Some of these aliens could be members of al Shabaab
terror group,” Birik said.
More road blocks, particularly on the Modigar and Tana
bridges, will be erected. “These are the main entry points aliens use to
find their way to Garissa en route to Nairobi although there are many
others routes all the way from Mandera, Wajir and the Garissa border
with Somalia,” Birik said.
Fifteen aliens from Somalia were arrested on their way to Garissa on Saturday night. They will be arraigned in court today.
KPR recruitment
Security agencies are interrogating them. “We intend to seal all
loopholes, areas of weakness and avenues through which aliens come into
the country,” Birik said.
He urged officials to step up efforts to improve security. “They
should come up with effective strategies to manage security threats in
this region to preempt any attacks from al Shabaab,” Birik said.
On Kenya Police Reservists, Birik said their capacity will be
enhanced, adding they are the first line of the National Police Service
on the ground and supplement efforts of the security agencies.
He said more KPRs will be recruited and posted on the border where al Shabaab have been operating.
Birik urged residents to work closely with security agencies and
volunteer information that will help prevent attacks. He said all
information shared will be held in confidence.
Bribes
Mandera South MP Adan Kullow last week accused police officers of
taking bribes and permitting terrorists to carry out attacks in Kenya.
Al Shabaab terrorists have staged many attacks in Mandera and other counties where they target both police and civilians.
They use explosives, that are planted in roads, and guns with which
they kill or injure their victims. They also destroy communications
masts.
Kullow alleged on Wednesday that security personnel along the
Kenya-Somalia border are compromised and that this has also resulted in
radicalisation through teachings at mosques. Regarding an attack last
week that left three dead and two others critically injured, Kullow said
KDF soldiers took more than 12 hours to respond.