This archive report was first published on 8 December 2019.
On December 8, 2019, a bus traveling from Nairobi to Mandera was ambushed by Al Shabaab militants in Wajir County, Kenya, resulting in the deaths of 11 people.
Two individuals, a driver and a passenger, have been arrested in connection with the attack, which claimed the lives of eight police officers who were returning to their work stations, two civilians, and a doctor.
According to authorities, the passenger was reportedly using his phone throughout the journey prior to the attack.
The Kenya Police Service has been the hardest hit by the attack, with eight officers killed and two others still missing.
Al Shabaab militants reportedly separated locals from non-locals before releasing the bus and executing the non-locals.
The bus is currently being held at Kutulo Police Station in Wajir County.
‘This is a criminal gang that has no religion…that has no human face…that has no value at all,’ said Eldas Member of Parliament Adan Keynan.
Special forces transferred 10 bodies recovered from the scene to Wajir mortuary, with one more body being moved there early Saturday morning.
The bodies of the civilians were later airlifted to Wilson Airport before being transferred to various city morgues in two hearses, while those of the officers were airlifted to Gilgil.
The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) condemned the attack, stating that the ultimate goal of the militants was to drive a wedge and cause discord between Kenyans of different faiths.
SUPKEM urged Kenyans not to fall into the trap of the extremist elements but remain focused on building peaceful communities for harmonious co-existence.
