A multi-agency security team in Mandera is pursuing a government vehicle stolen by suspected al Shabaab militants on Saturday.
The gunmen are said to have ambushed the driver of the vehicle, identified as Affey Saman, at Ali-Bililiqa area of Kamor location, Mandera East, and shot him dead before disappearing with the vehicle.
Mandera county commissioner Henry Ochako on Saturday evening confirmed the incident. A senior security official in the area confirmed they were searching for the vehicle with the help of officials from Somalia.
Al Shabaab has intensified its activities in Mandera. The incidents underscore the militants' strategic intent to disrupt security operations and exert psychological pressure on local populations and Kenyan security forces.
On July 12, an ambush by al Shabaab militants claimed the lives of five members of the Special Operations Group and left six others injured near the Banisa-Derkale border.
A week later the militants planted an IED at a restaurant in the town that critically injured five people.
Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif while condemning the incident called on residents to remain united as they take the necessary measures to fight the terror outfit, whose aim he said is to create fear and division amongst the peace-loving community of the county.
“I urge wananchi to remain vigilant and share information that may aid the relevant security agencies as they pursue the criminals behind this senseless attack,” he said at the time.