Police kill 20 suspected militants in Mandera

By Peter Ochieng

Police officers reportedly killed 20 Al Shabaab militants, after 'heavy exchange' of gunfire in Mandera County.

According to a statement from the National Police Service (NPS), the 5th July, 2023 incident happened within Ogorwen location.

NPS says heavy exachange of gunfire ensued after the suspects ambushed a police Special Operations Group (SOG) in the area.

Police indicate that when the guns went silent, 20 suspected militants lay dead. Eight police officers were injured.

"Preliminary investigations indicate that the resulting heavy gunfire exchange between the officers who were on patrol, and the militants, left twenty militants fatally injured and eight NPS Officers injured. Police also recovered assorted weapons from the scene of crime."

"As a service, we commend our officers for their dedication to duty, and reiterate our commitment to enhancing national security," adds the statement.

After being supressed by Kenyan security agencies for a long period, Al Shabaab militants have in recent weeks conducted a wave of attacks in Coast and North Eastern parts of the country.

However, Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Abraham Kithure Kundiki insists the government is 'on top of things.'