Leaders in Wajir on Tuesday condemned the Monday morning killing of six Kenya Police Reservists by al Shabaab militants in Khrof Arar, Wajir East.
Four Shabaab militants were also killed in the gun battle that started at 10am and lasted several hours.
Speaking during the burial of the six, Governor Mohamed Abdi and MP Rashid Kassim said the attack on the reservists will not dampen the spirit to completely eradicate the militants.
The police reservists were on routine patrol when they were attacked by the militants about eight kilometres from the Kenya-Somalia border.
Abdi regretted that the “cowardly act” happened when the country's focus is on containing the spread of the coronavirus.
He said the sole mission of the militants was to distract the county’s attention from the war on Covid-19 pandemic. The region has for the past two months witnessed calm with no terror attack being reported.
The last attack in Wajir was in January after an unknown number of suspected Shabaab militants attacked a passenger bus in Khorof Kharar, injuring two people.
“As we gather here to bury our fallen heroes and condole with the bereaved families, I want to say that we shall continue fighting these outlawed militants and secure our region,” Abdi said.
He said his administration will continue working with the national government in recruiting and equipping KPR officers because they are an integral part towards improving the security of the region.
MP Kassim urged the security agencies to act with speed to apprehend and bring the perpetrators to book.
He said fighting al Shabaab should be an everyday business and both leaders and the community must not be cowed.
“We shall fight these outlawed militants who are out to kill our people and destabilise our county. We must stand strong against extremists and not let them consume our existence,” the legislator said.
The militants have always taken advantage of the porous border and proximity to Somalia to carry out attacks before escaping either on foot, using motorbikes or vehicles.
Edited by A.N
