Passengers in Mandera Town. Stranded non-locals are asking the government to provide security to escort them out of Mandera. [Photo|nation.co.ke]
Hundreds of non-locals living and working in Mandera are calling on the national government to intervene and help them return to their homes in other counties.
The non-locals on Monday protested over the lack of security to escort them as they travel and bus owners who are not ferrying non-locals because they are targeted by Al-Shabaab militants.
The non-locals asked the government to enhance security and provide armed police escort to buses plying Mandera-Nairobi route to enable them to travel out of the county.
Mr Mark Mwolobi from Bungoma said they have been stranded in the county following the banning of non-locals from using public transport.
According to the Daily Nation, Mr Mwolobi said they have been neglected by the government adding that they are suffering.
“Many of us from other parts of the country working or in business in Mandera are stranded because the government has refused to secure the roads.”
“It is Christmas season but we cannot join our families back at home to celebrate together simply because the government had denied as our right to security,” he said.
Mandera County Police Commander Bernard Nyakwaka said the decision to ban the use of buses by non-locals was reached at by the county security committee adding that the directive for non-locals to leave Mandera through Moyale still stands.
“That was a decision of county security committee but we shall meet again and review the situation. We are helping them travel in any way possible and even security vehicles going to Nairobi transport many of them,” he said.
In November, Mandera county commissioner Fredrick Shisia urged non-residents of Mandera to avoid the road transport but instead opt for air travels saying that Al-Shabaab militants are targeting non-locals and security agents on the roads.