This archive report was first published on 27 December 2019.
December 27, 2019
Kenya has revived joint cross-border meetings between communities in Wajir County and neighboring Somalia to combat increased cases of violent extremism.
The move comes after a series of Shabaab attacks in Wajir County, which has experienced five terror attacks in the past three 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 new strategy aims to improve surveillance and enhance intelligence gathering to prevent attacks.
He called on elders and the community to cooperate with security agencies to restore peace in the county.
"We urge the same elders to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and local administrators by voluntarily sharing information which will allow security agencies to act on time," Narengo 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.
He 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.
