This archive report was first published on 27 December 2019.
Kenya is reviving joint cross-border meetings between communities living in the country and neighboring Somalia to combat the growing threat of violent extremism.
The move comes after Wajir County, which borders Somalia, experienced five terror attacks in the past three months, the highest record in recent months.
On Monday, a team of security officers on a routine foot patrol in Kutulo escaped unhurt after a homemade bomb exploded along the Tarbaj-Kutulo road.
Wajir County Commissioner Jacob Narengo said the county security team would re-strategize by using elders and communities living in areas most affected by the attacks.
"In the light of the recent Al-Shabaab attacks in Wajir County, we have decided the county security team should re-strategise by use of elders and communities living in areas most affected by the attacks," Narengo said.
The new strategy aims to improve surveillance and enhance intelligence gathering to help security agencies prevent attacks.
Narengo called on elders and the community to cooperate with security agencies to restore peace in the county.
"We urge the same elders to co-operate with law enforcement agencies and local administrators by voluntarily sharing information which will allow security agencies to act on time," he added.
The county commissioner also directed chiefs and assistant chiefs to operate from their areas of jurisdiction to ensure vital information is relayed to the county security team on time.
"We've had cases where a number of chiefs operate from Wajir town and leave wananchi on their own and I now direct them to go back and serve the community," Narengo said.
He also ordered police reservists to stick to their areas of jurisdiction to enhance security in the villages.
Regarding the six residents kidnapped by suspected Al-Shabaab militants, Narengo said they are currently in the hands of their abductors, and the government has begun joint meetings with local elders to ensure their safe return.
