Hunt on for police killer in Wajir

Security agencies are on the hunt for suspected Al Shabbab gunmen who shot dead a police officer in Wajir on the evening of Wednesday, October 22.

Operations have been intensified to track down the attackers, who are suspected of coming from across the border in Somalia.

The police officer, identified as Constable Elijah Orwa, met his death in an ambush in the Dagahaley area of Wajir County.

The officer was in the company of police officers and members of the National Police Reserve (NPR) who were responding to reports of gunfire along the Dagahaley–Mathabaquay road when they were ambushed.

According to police reports, the team arrived at the scene in a private saloon car but came under heavy fire from gunmen who had been hiding in a thicket.

During the confrontation, the officer was fatally shot, and his body was later found lying in a pool of blood.

Meanwhile, the Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo has announced a massive crackdown to rein in criminals terrorizing area residents.

Speaking on Monday during the Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kunaso grounds in Garissa town, the County Commissioner vowed to curb the increased incidents of robbery with violence, thefts, and knife attacks that have recently been witnessed in the town.

“From today, it is the responsibility of the Chiefs, Assistant County Commissioners, the Deputy County commissioner and other security organs to work together to tame the rising crime and restore order in our town. For the leaders and citizens, we must work together because security is the foundation of development,” he said.

Mwambudzo blamed some of the criminal acts on young boys who he said were terrorizing members of the public and robbing them of their valuables.

At the same time, Mwabudzo warned parents against supporting and shielding the children involved in criminal activities. “If the parents have failed in their responsibility to raise you, we will work on you, and this is a promise,” he warned.