Kenya has announced measures to tighten security in the northeastern region, which borders Somalia, after two deadly attacks claimed by Al-Shabaab militants.
Militants used grenades and improvised explosive devices in an attack on a guesthouse in the northeastern border town of Mandera early Tuesday, killing at least 16 people. Earlier this month, six people were killed in an attack on a residential area in Mandera town.
Interior Minister Joseph Nkaissery said Wednesday they were collaborating with the Kenya Defence Forces to set up a border command unit to counter the infiltration of Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militants.
Nkaissery said the unit would assist in setting up road blocks and check points, boosting security in border towns including Mandera.
“We are working around the clock putting appropriate measures to ensure citizens across the country are secure and safeguarded,” said Nkaissery.
Nkaissery said more police officers had been deployed to hunt down those behind the Tuesday attack. He commended police for their “swift response” to the attack.
He said bomb experts were analyzing the scene to establish the source of the explosives and gather evidence.
Recently Chief of Defence Forces Samson Mwathethe said additional military personnel would be dispatched along the Mandera-Lamu border.