Police in Mandera are searching for three teachers who went missing after Al Shabaab militia attacked their school at night at around 1 am.
The tutors, who live within the school, were asleep by the time the Al Shabaab militia opened fire inside the institution, Libehiya Primary School, on Wednesday, October 12.
Alarmed by the resounding gunshots, the teachers reportedly scampered for safety.
Reports indicated that the militia targeted the trio, claiming that they were reportedly posted from other counties.
The ambush was part of a spate of attacks in Northern Kenya county, including a recent one where a telecommunication mast was destroyed.
In the second attack, there was an exchange of fire between the militia and the police officers stationed in Mandera.
“Today, two rocket-propelled grenades were fired at a mast by persons suspected to be Al Shabaab terrorists followed by massive gun sounds from AK-47 rifles prompting officers at the camp to move with speed and respond to contain the situation,” an officer stated.
Calm at Libehiya Primary School was restored after National Police reservists responded swiftly to the attack.
Since 2020, schools in war-prone areas in Northern and Eastern Kenya have faced challenges following periodic attacks by terrorists or armed bandits.
In February of that year, North-Eastern region schools experienced a mass exodus of teachers after insecurity incidents increased.
So dire was the situation that a chief volunteered to teach pupils who were stranded in a school.
In 2021, teachers' unions in Kenya demanded better working environments as well as increased hardship allowances for their members.
