The Mandera County government on Friday held a high profile security meeting as al-Shabaab militants mount attack threats in the country.
Mandera County Deputy Governor Mohamed Arai, opened the stakeholder security awareness meeting that brought together national counter-terrorism officials, the county security team, political leaders and non-State actors to discuss lasting solutions for the security challenges facing the county.This came about two weeks after suspected al-Shabaab militants attacked a school in far-flung Wajir County and killed two teachers, raising security concerns for teachers in one of Kenya's volatile counties.The workshop was moderated by Mandera County Commissioner Kutswa Olaka who reiterated the need for Kenyans to volunteer information that may help in fighting the militants based in Somalia.Deputy Governor Arai stated that the Mandera County Government has played an important role in countering terrorist attacks through sustained provision of funds to facilitate Kenya Police Reservists (KPRs) to guard vulnerable towns and villages from terrorist attacks.Newly appointed Agriculture Principal Secretary Prof Hamadi Boga, argued that such a stakeholder security awareness and consultation workshop for Mandera was long overdue and that similar efforts have borne fruits in Kwale, another county hit by terror attacks.MCAs who were at the event unanimously agreed to offer political goodwill to the implementation of counter-terrorism measures in the county."The Mandera County Government remains committed to advocating for and supporting measures to secure our borders and people," Arai promised those in attendance.