As Kenyans go to the polls security remains a major concern for them with the opposition NASA faulting the government of failing to put an end to the attacks by Alshabaab. Whether to have Kenyan troops remain in Somalia or withdraw has been a subject that has divided the country.
By Fayaz Khan, fayaz.khan@alleastafrica.com
NAIROBI – Somali militant group Alshabaab on Monday executed three attacks inside Kenya as the East African country set for the General elections which is to take place on Tuesday.
In the coastal county of Lamu, two people were injured when an IED destroyed a truck along the Garsen- Lamu road county police officials confirmed on Monday.
A high voltage power was sabotaged by the militants, sending most of the county in a blackout.
In another attack, suspected Alshabaab militants captured two vehicles near Arabia in Mandera county on Monday.
The vehicles were ferrying voters from Nairobi to Mandera town.
“They ordered for the two vehicles to stop. When the drivers declined they shot at the vehicles injuring two people” Moalim Saleh a civic leader told Alleastafrica.
“They made way with one vehicle after interrogating the occupants. The second vehicle was let free to rush the injured to hospital” Saleh added.
In the last one week, Alshabaab has also intensified attacks inside Kenya, targeting Mandera and Lamu counties.
Meanwhile, the armed militant group has recently released a video vowing to disrupt the August 8 elections.
Last week the militant group attacked Lafey town burning four police vehicles and killing a Kenyan policeman.
It later flouted in its affiliated websites photos of captured ruling party Jubilee’s campaign vehicle.
At least three attacks have been launched in Lamu county in the last one week alone.
On Saturday the militant group has released a video purporting the execution of a Kenyan soldier captured in the 2016 El Adde attack. The soldier identified as Leonard Maingi was executed after the Kenya government failed to meet the groups demand Alshabaab said.
Security experts are of the opinion that the group may have intensified attacks on Kenyan soil to sway the election results.
“It is no doubt that the attacks have increased towards the election day. The group release of the video that was specifically intended to Kenyan voters means they are keenly following what is happening across the border” Adow Mohamed a Nairobi based security commentator told Alleastafrica.
Copyright ©2017 Alleastafrica.com All rights reserved. The information contained in Alleastafrica.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the prior written authority of Alleastafrica.com
