Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has allayed fears of a surge in al-Shabaab attacks.
He said government strategies to counter terrorism at the Kenya-Somalia border have been enhanced.
He noted that although three police officers were injured by an exploding Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted on Thursday, the operation was successful as one al Shabaab terror suspect was killed and one arrested.
Their equipment including firearms and ammunition were confiscated in the counter operations in Garissa.
A police vehicle was badly damaged after being hit by the bomb set on the road.
Speaking after he chaired a county security briefing meeting at the Embu Regional Commissioner’s office, Murkomen lauded the good working relationship between the community, the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) and the National Police Service (NPS) in detecting and thwarting planned attacks.
As he concluded his three-day Jukwaa la Usalama Counties tour of the Upper Eastern Region in Embu County, the CS noted that the issue of counter-terrorism is sensitive and called for patriotism in handling the matter, saying the work of officers in keeping the country safe should be commended.
“This matter should not be amplified as a success of the enemy but focus on the response by the officers. Until our neighbours are stable, we will continue facing these challenges and are equipping our officers with the right machinery to detect threats and fight the enemy,” stated the CS.
“Our security agencies are in full control and are doing a tremendous job. The NPS will in due course share comprehensive data on the measures put in place to secure the nation.”
“It’s easy to fault officers but if we knew the environment they are operating in and the enemies’ change of tack, they have to always be one step ahead.”
He commended the cooperation between Mandera governor Adan Khalif and security officers, which he said has been instrumental in the war against the militia group.
“I am proud of what the governor is doing. We have foiled many attacks,” noted Murkomen.
Murkomen also noted that incidences of attacks on villages and highways have reduced significantly.
“The good response based on intelligence gathering has led to foiled attacks,” said Murkomen.
The region has been facing terror related attacks in the past months which have disrupted businesses and left many dead.
Most of the attackers come from Somalia.
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