Mandera residents harbour al Shabaab- Kenyan Commissioner

                             

Mandera county commissioner Fredrick Shisia has attributed the rampant terror attacks in the area to failure by locals to provide information on al Shabaab.

Shisia told reporters that the intelligence network of the terror group resides in Mandera and only the executers come from Somalia.

"Even in the most recent attack in Bishaare lodge, those who plotted and identified the areas of attack reside within the community," he said.

"The executers came from Somalia and we are already probing some suspects," Shisia said.

He said that some of the residents had the 'important information of an imminent attack' but concealed the same.

"These practices paralyses efforts by the security personnel to arrest and convict the members of the militia," Shisia said.

"Al Shabaab uses intimidation and propaganda thus residents have fear giving any information even when they get knowledge of their whereabouts," he said.

The county commissioner also noted that he had received leads alleging traders operating within the Mandera were paying 'operational fee' to the militia.

He warned the traders against such practices, which are also under probe, adding that the situation facilitates the economic survival of the group.