[Wreckage of a police vehicle after an attack on Governor Ali Roba's convoy. [Photo/intelligencebriefs.com]
Since taking power as the governor of Mandera County, Mr Ali Roba has been a targeted man. There have been targeted attacks towards his motorcade with an intention of killing him.
But thanks to the Almighty God, the governor has been able to evade these traps with his security detail taking the highest casualty.
In 2014 while on his way to the office in a convoy of four vehicles from his home, an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded damaging one of the vehicles. The injured security personnel was rushed to Mandera District Hospital, where he was treated and discharged.
With an interview with the Nation the governor said, “This is another assassination attempt on my life after my office was attacked twice previously”
In 2015 while on a convoy headed for a public meeting within the county, the governor was attacked by Al shabaab militants who fired an RPF which hit two vehicles.
The two vehicles included a police escort vehicle and another carrying community elders which were burnt to ashes. The incident happened between Nafey and Imo where at least three people lost their lives including two policemen.
Yesterday’s attack was a third attempt on the governor’s convoy where one of the vehicles was blown up by what is suspected to be a landmine.
In this attempt, five security personnel lost their lives including the governor’s personal bodyguard.