On Thursday, National Police Service Inspector General, Hillary Mutyambai, celebrated Kenyans residing in El Wak, Mandera County, who joined efforts to thwart an Al Shabaab attack.
The locals prevented fatalities at a construction site that the gunmen raided on Sunday morning. However, one person was injured.
“We wish to take this opportunity to sincerely thank residents of Kotulo for their acts of bravery and wish a quick recovery to the injured member of the public now recuperating at Elwak hospital,” the police boss stated through the Director of Corporate Communications, Charles Wahong’o, in a statement sent to newsrooms.
He also rallied Kenyans to remain vigilant and aggressive against terrorism.
According to the police report, eight non-local workers had their lives saved by the gallant acts of locals and swift action by security officers.
The police boss further warned the terrorists that they would be dealt with urgency and aggressiveness.
“Attacks on educational and health facilities, business enterprises, road construction activities, communication infrastructure among others, will be met by the full force of the law. The deliberate creation of chaos in order to justify more chaos will be resisted with proportionate force,” Mutyambai declared.
The suspects struck Borehole 11 and residents had alerted non-locals who were being targeted by the gang.
“They confronted the gunmen who proceeded to the site and failed to get what they wanted.
"They opened fire but no one was injured before they (gunmen) escaped,” North Eastern Regional Commissioner, Mohamed Birik, told reporters.
Borehole 11 is located eight kilometres from El Wak Town and another 20 kilometres from El-Rhamu along the Kenya-Somalia border.
The only Administration Police Camp providing security at the centre was closed down in 2014 by the national government.
Non-local teachers at schools in the area were transferred to safer areas due to insecurity.
Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang'i, in June, re-assured Mandera leaders that quarry mines in the region would be re-opened soon but in a structured manner.
