Northeastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno speaking to the press./STEPHEN ASTARIKOThe measures include a change in modus operandi, enhanced patrols, and lock-ups, which will go a long way in further enhancing security in the region.
Otieno, who spoke on Wednesday at the Garissa Government Guest House during a public participation forum on the National Government Village Elders Policy and regulations for the establishment of administration units, acknowledged that some areas in the region continue to face security-related challenges. However, he was quick to add that the government remains steadfast in addressing the issue.
“As you may be aware, North Eastern is a security region, and we have had some security challenges in the recent past. Our major security threat in the region is the Al Shabaab threat. But our security agencies are dealing with these threats,” he said.
Northeastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno speaking to the press./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
The militants have continued to terrorise residents, with Mandera and parts of Fafi in Garissa County being the most affected areas.
The attacks have resulted in deaths and injuries to both security officers and civilians. The situation has impacted major sectors, among them education, where non-local teachers have fled fearing for their lives.
The latest attack was reported on March 24, when Al Shabaab militants raided Ires Suki village and killed police reservist Abdiker Adan Ibrahim.
The RC, who was flanked by the regional security team, disclosed that the most challenging areas are in Mandera and Fafi sub-county in Garissa. He was, however, quick to add that the government is making major efforts to improve and enhance security in these areas.
“You have heard of challenges where Al Shabaab has attacked security installations. They have killed NPRs in Fafi; others were killed in Suki in Mandera Central. We have also had incidents in Mandera East of Al Shabaab attacks,” he said.
On government projects that have come under attack from the militants, the RC said the state has put in place necessary measures to secure contractors so that work can continue uninterrupted.
Participants during the meeting at the Garissa government guest house./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
He singled out the Northern Corridor project that runs from Isiolo to Mandera, describing it as a critical project in which the government has taken a strong interest to secure.
The RC commended security agencies working in the region for their round-the-clock efforts to ensure safety.
“Our security agencies have done tremendously well in terms of securing this region. A number of planned attacks have been thwarted by the security agencies. If it were not for our multi-agency teams, we would have witnessed more attacks than what we are experiencing now,” he said.
He added that village elders have continued to play a significant role in matters of security, noting that the mainstream national government administration structure will help enhance safety by providing first-hand information from the elders through the chiefs.
