Passengers Killed in Bus Attack

Six people were killed and others injured on Friday morning after two buses were sprayed with bullets along Mandera-El Wak road.

The buses belonging to E-Coach and Tawakal company are said to have been ambushed by suspected Al Shabaab militants leading to the casualties. A security operation was launched to repulse the fighters.

Five of the dead were passengers while the other was a Kenya Police Reservist who was reportedly escorting the buses. 

On Thursday evening, the United States warned its citizens against travelling to the North-Eastern part of the country and particularly mentioned El Wak as one of the areas to be avoided.

The American government further advised its nationals to avoid Nairobi's Eastleigh estate, Likoni Ferry, Lamu, Mandera, Garissa and Wajir Counties.

At the same time, the Mandera County Security Committee had cautioned non-locals against visiting the County in buses during the Ramadhan period for fear of attacks.

Read Also: Don't Go to Eastleigh, Likoni and These Other Areas - US Warns

On Friday, however, Principal Secretary for Interior Karanja Kibicho dismissed the advisory assuring that the country was safe.

A few weeks ago, five police officers were killed and four others injured near El Wak after they were attacked while escorting a Nairobi-bound bus.

During the attack, militants hit the officers' vehicle with a rocket-propelled grenade and then set the bodies of the dead security agents on fire.

Read Also: 5 Police Officers Killed, Bodies Burnt

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