Four people reported dead while scores are said to have suffered serious injuries following a suspected Al-Shabaab attack in Rhamu, Mandera County.
Speaking to KNA on phone, Rhamu Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Dennis Kirui, confirmed the incident which claimed four lives and left many with injuries.
According to Mr Kirui the convoy of police escort vehicle and Mandera Nairobi bound buses were traveling from Mandera to Nairobi when the afternoon attack happen between Olla and Sarman.
Edwin Kiogora, an eyewitness narrates that the militia fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at Moyale Liner Bus but narrowly missed it.
“The attackers were many and heavily armed, I was in a Moyale Liner Bus which was leading the convoy, they were spraying bullet from all sides, our driver went off the road as he tried to reverse, thinking he has suffered bullet injuries he managed to get out of danger, ” said Kiogora.
The police quickly engaged the militia group in a shout-out which led the militia to disappear into the nearby thick bush. Two police were killed on the spot.
The two buses were sprayed with bullets by the attackers killing one person on the spot and leaving many others with both serious and minor injuries. One passenger succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at Takaba Sub-county hospital.
Mandera County Referral Hospital Superintendent, Dr Hasaan Kala, confirmed receiving 10 patients and two bodies. Two among them female and seven (7) male.
“The Hospital has received 10 patients and two bodies, three of the patients are in stable condition, I am also informed that five (5) patients who were receiving their treatment at Banisa were evacuated to Takaba to be airlifted to Nairobi for specialized treatment,” said Dr .Kala.
Dr Hassan said among the ten patients two were secondary school students going back to school after mid-term break.
The Moyale Raha Bus was on Sunday evening attacked at the same point but the two police officer in the bus saved the situation and no one was injured.
Al-shabaab early this year destroyed a Safaricom mast in the Olla area creating communication barriers and hence hampered rescue operations.
Police have been escorting these buses from Mandera town to Takaba every day since 2014 after 28 non -Muslim teachers travelling for Christmas holiday lost their lives after the bus they were using was attacked by Alshabaab in Mandera West.
According to Dennis Kirui Police Officers are still pursuing the attackers.
By Charles Matacho