Mandera

Understanding the Al-Shabab Threat: A Closer Look at Security Challenges in Kenya In recent months, the security landscape along Kenya’s northeastern frontier has shifted dramatically, drawing attention to an ongoing struggle against the militant group Al-Shabab. This Somalia-based affiliate of al-Qaida recently claimed responsibility for a series of violent attacks through a brief statement on its Shahada News Agency. Such developments raise pressing questions: What drives this escalation of violence? And what can be done…

Unyielding Resolve: Kenya's Fight Against Terrorism October 2011 marked a significant chapter in Kenya's history as troops disembarked from military vehicles at the Kenya-Somalia border, embarking on a mission that tested their mettle. Fast forward to today, the stakes remain high as security officers from the anti-terror police unit demonstrated unwavering commitment during a recent operation in Mandera. On a fateful Monday, under the veil of darkness, a dedicated team from the elite Special Operations Group (SOG)…

Securing Peace in Mandera: A Pre-Dawn Victory Against Terrorism A collage of some of the guns and RPGs recovered by the elite SOG group from Alshabaab militants on June 10, 2025. Photo: Counter Terrorism Policing Mogadishu (AX) — On a quiet Monday morning in Mandera County, Kenya, the brave men and women of the Special Operations Group (SOG), an elite anti-terror police unit, launched a decisive operation that dramatically altered the course of potential violence. As dawn broke, two al-Shabab militants were neutralized,…

Kismayo (AX) — In a significant step towards regional stability, Mahmoud Sayid Aden, the First Vice President of Somalia’s Jubbaland State, convened with the Governor of Mandera County in Kenya on Monday. The primary objective of their meeting was to address pressing issues concerning cross-border security and the movement of people along their shared frontier. The leaders engaged in a constructive dialogue focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in light of the increasing challenges posed by the al-Shabab…

A Community in Mourning: The Mandera Quarry Attack In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Mandera County experienced a devastating attack early Tuesday morning, resulting in the tragic loss of five lives and leaving two others injured. This violent episode, attributed to suspected Al-Shabaab militants, unfolded in the Burabor area, a location now etched in the community's memory for all the wrong reasons. Henry Ochako, the Mandera County Commissioner, chronicled the grim details of the incident. It appears that the…

Marking World Malaria Day: A Community's Commitment to Health Mandera County recently joined the global community in commemorating World Malaria Day, a day dedicated not just to raising awareness but also to catalyzing action for one of the world’s oldest and most persistent diseases. This year, the focus was on prevention, with a particular emphasis on supplying mosquito nets to those who need them most—specifically pregnant women and mothers with newborns. The theme for this year’s event, "Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,"…

After Al-Shabaab Abduction, Mandera Chiefs Reunite With Families MANDERA, Kenya - It’s a day etched into the memory of Mandera: a day when the much-anticipated presidential visit was overshadowed by a dark cloud covering the fate of five local chiefs. Earlier this year, these community leaders found themselves in the throes of uncertainty, kidnapped by the ominous presence of Al-Shabaab. For 60 arduous days, their families grasped onto threads of hope, peering into the abyss of negotiations that spanned borders and…

Al-Shabaab Releases Kenyan Chiefs Abducted in Mandera NAIROBI, Kenya - In a dramatic and much-awaited resolution, the Al-Shabaab militants have, at last, freed five Kenyan chiefs who were forcefully taken in February. This resolution comes after an unnerving pursuit, one that gripped the entire country's security apparatus due to the unsettling events surrounding their capture. These five local leaders, more commonly known as chiefs, were abducted on their way to meet President William Ruto at a planned…

It was a somber day in the Garissa High Court when a verdict finally brought a glimmer of closure to a family reeling from tragedy. Anthony Murithi Nyaga, a man who once earned his keep at a quarry, found himself at the center of a harrowing legal battle. His crime was no minor infraction; it was the stark, unforgiving act of murder that sent ripples of grief and anger through the relatives of Hassan Salat Mohamed. How does a relationship that spans nearly a decade unravel into such catastrophe, one might wonder?…

Nairobi, Kenya (AX) – In the dusty, sun-beaten terrain of Mandera, echoes of gunfire shattered the morning calm last Friday. A Kenyan police officer tragically lost his life, another was left nursing injuries, and an entire community was thrust into the crosshairs of a dispute brewing just across the border. The attackers were believed to be operatives from Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA). But why would such a violent engagement ensue? Let’s unravel this complex tapestry. Border Point 4,…