Sunday March 16, 2025
NAIROBI, Kenya (HOL) — A Kenyan police officer was shot dead and another injured when suspected operatives of Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) launched an attack at a border post in Mandera on Friday in what authorities believe was a retaliatory strike.
The attack occurred at Border Point 4, where five Kenyan officers were on duty. Witnesses and police reports indicate that a group of approximately 20 armed men, identified as NISA operatives, opened fire without warning. Constable Dennis Omari was killed instantly, while his colleague Wright Mokua sustained gunshot wounds to the upper arm and is receiving treatment at Mandera Referral Hospital.
Amid the chaos, the attackers seized two firearms—a G3 rifle with 60 rounds of ammunition belonging to the deceased officer and an AK-47 rifle with 30 rounds from a National Police Reservist. By Friday evening, authorities confirmed they had recovered the G3 rifle, but the AK-47 remains missing.
Kenyan security officials believe the assault was orchestrated in revenge for the arrest of two suspects allegedly involved in a botched attempt to kidnap Chinese nationals working on a sewerage project in Mandera town last month.
Mandera County Criminal Investigations Officer Pius Gitari confirmed the link, calling the incident an incursion by foreign security operatives.
"A brother of one of the suspects led the incursion," Gitari told Nation Africa. "We are putting pressure on Somalia authorities to arrest and hand over those involved."
Gitari further explained that intelligence reports suggested the attackers intended to abduct Kenyan officers to force negotiations for the release of the detained terror suspects.
"They planned to abduct our officers, but they found the officers armed, leading to the shootout," he added.
Following the attack, Kenyan authorities engaged officials in Bulahawa, Somalia, seeking the return of the stolen weapons and the arrest of those responsible.
"We requested Bulahawa officials to bring back our rifles and hand over the attackers," Gitari said, acknowledging that negotiations have been complicated by parallel authorities operating in Somalia. While Jubaland forces oversee security in the area, the Somalia National Army (SNA) maintains a competing presence.
The county DCI chief further emphasized that Kenya is pressuring Somali authorities to take action.
Security officials disclosed that the same NISA operatives have frequently visited Mandera Police Station, pressing for the release of the two suspects arrested for plotting the failed abduction of Chinese workers on February 18.
One of the suspects, Isaac Abdi Mohamed, was caught after allegedly illegally obtaining a Kenyan ID. Police say he had infiltrated Mandera from El-Ade, Somalia, and had even bribed local officials with Ksh 100,000 to expedite the process. Yussuf Maalim Isaack, a local assistant chief, was also arrested on February 20 for facilitating the fraudulent documents.
"We were asked last week to close all food kiosks managed by non-locals on the grounds that we are being targeted with allegations they are selling food when Muslims are fasting," a food kiosk owner in Mandera town told Nation Africa on condition of anonymity. "It was shocking that religion was being used to frustrate those in business in Mandera town."
The deadly border incident comes as Kenyan security agencies warn of impending terror attacks in Mandera town, specifically targeting food kiosks. Some traders say they were ordered to shut down due to allegations that they were selling food during Ramadan fasting hours.