•Militant Attack Sparks Outrage Over Security Lapses in Northern Kenya
Mandera County is once again reeling from a deadly Al-Shabaab attack following the execution of a National Police Reservists (NPR) commander at his home on Monday, March 24, 2025.
The killing has ignited renewed criticism of security agencies, with Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif blaming authorities for failing to act on intelligence reports that could have prevented the murder.
The officer, a key figure in the region’s security management, was shot dead by Al-Shabaab militants at 6:00 a.m. in what appears to have been a targeted attack.
Governor Khalif, visibly emotional, decried the killing, saying it underscored the growing insecurity in Mandera and the broader northeastern region.
Ignored Intelligence Reports
In a damning revelation, Governor Khalif disclosed that security agencies had received intelligence as early as March 21, warning of an impending Al-Shabaab attack.
He accused them of negligence, stating that they failed to act on credible information about militants crossing into Kenya and plotting attacks.
“On Saturday, information was shared across all fighting units in Mandera, including security managers in Nairobi. They were informed about Al-Shabaab militants moving within the region, yet no action was taken,” Khalif lamented.
The governor expressed frustration at what he described as a reactive rather than proactive approach by security forces.
“Our security personnel have turned into ambulances for collecting dead bodies after incidents. Instead of preventing attacks, they arrive only to retrieve the dead and injured,” he said.
Escalating Violence in Northern Kenya
The killing of the NPR chief adds to a growing list of recent Al-Shabaab attacks in Kenya’s northern counties.
Just hours before the Mandera assassination, the terror group raided the Biyamadhow Police Reservist Camp in Fafi Sub-county, Garissa, killing six people and injuring four others.
Authorities also warn that Al-Shabaab militants are planning further kidnappings of Kenyan civilians.
Less than two weeks ago, on March 15, around 150 heavily armed Al-Shabaab operatives stormed Mangai village in Lamu County during Maghrib prayers.
In a bizarre turn of events, they lectured residents and distributed dates before vanishing into an unknown location without harming anyone.
In another alarming incident in early February, five chiefs were abducted by Al-Shabaab in Mandera.
Despite President William Ruto’s commitment to securing their release, the chiefs remain in captivity, raising concerns about the government’s ability to protect local administrators from terrorist threats.
Government Under Pressure to Act
The increasing frequency of Al-Shabaab attacks has amplified calls for the Kenyan government to take decisive action in securing border counties.
Residents and local leaders are demanding a shift in strategy, urging security agencies to move from a defensive stance to a more aggressive counterterrorism approach.
As Kenya grapples with this persistent security threat, the question remains: Will authorities finally act on intelligence to prevent future attacks, or will more lives be lost due to systemic failures?
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