MANDERA, Kenya –– Kenyan President William Ruto pledged decisive action on Tuesday to eradicate insecurity in northern Kenya, vowing to stop cross-border incursions by al-Shabab militants.
During a four-day development tour of the restive region bordering Somalia, Ruto directed top police officers to lead security operations, including efforts to recover five local government officials abducted by al-Shabab on Sunday.
“They thought that by doing so (abducting officials), they would stop us from coming here,” Ruto said. “I must make it absolutely clear that every inch of Kenya is important, and we are not going to cede an inch of our country to criminals.”
Mandera South Sub-county Police Commander Julius Njeru confirmed the Sunday attack. The officials, locally known as chiefs, were travelling from Wargadud to Elwak when they were ambushed and taken into Somalia, according to Njeru.
Police have deployed additional security personnel to the area following the abductions. The incident comes amid heightened security concerns over potential al-Shabab attacks after a period of relative calm.
Northern Kenya, particularly Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa counties, has endured repeated attacks by al-Shabab, resulting in numerous casualties among civilians and security forces.
