Mandera South Member of Parliament, Abdul Haro, has expressed disappointment with the government’s lack of action over rising attacks by Al-Shabaab in the region.
Speaking during a Citizen TV interview, he criticised the government's reluctance, stating that five chiefs had been kidnapped and were still being held by their captors. He noted that residents living near the Somalia border were experiencing significant security challenges.
“This is the first time in Kenya’s history that five chiefs have been kidnapped in the same county. Up to now, they are still being held by their captors."
"Those of us living near the Somalia border face unique security challenges that other Kenyans may not fully understand. We are the first line of defence for this country," he stated.
Haro revealed that from February 3 to March 24, Mandera experienced three major attacks in various constituencies in the county.
He added that the same location where the chiefs were kidnapped was also where three civilians were taken a week ago, and a National Police Reserve officer was killed.
On March 23, six Kenyans were also killed by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in an attack at a National Police Reservists camp in Fafi, Garissa County.
The MP urged the government to rethink its approach to handling security, noting that Al-Shabaab is changing its attack strategy.
According to Haro, when the militants attack a location, residents often assume they will not return and therefore remain in the area, but the attackers strike again, as seen in Garissa.
"When you think they have attacked this place and will not come back, just like what they are doing in Garissa, they return. This changing strategy calls for a reassessment of how we view security in the country," he added.
He further stated that despite the presence of security forces, including army camps, border patrol units, and police officers, Al-Shabaab continues to launch attacks in the region, raising concerns about the security response.
On March 18, the United States Embassy issued a travel advisory highlighting Kenya-Somalia border counties such as Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera as high-risk regions and warning against visiting them.
"Kenya-Somalia border counties (Garissa, Wajir, Mandera), Tana River County, and coastal areas north of Malindi due to terrorism and kidnapping," part of the statement read.
