Mandera county commissioner Fredrick Shisia has attributed the failure of security officers to arrest and convict members of Al-shabab that constantly terrorize residents of Mandera.
He said executors of the attacks in Mandera come from Somalia but the informers are the residents are from Mandera, giving an example of a recent attack in Bishaare Lodge where the attackers resided within the community.
“Residents of Mandera have important information on the attack but conceal it because they are intimidated and they have the fear of Al- shabaab,” said Shisia.
"Al-Shabaab is organized and have spies in Mandera hence most people prefer to remain silent," pointed out a resident.
Mandera has been facing attacks by the Al shabaab militia group since 2012, which has led to the death of over 100 people, a majority being non locals.
The commissioner also lamented that the situation has worsened to the point of the locals paying some fee to the militia group.