One of the buses that was attacked by Al-Shabaab militia near El Wak, Mandera County in northeast Kenya close to the Somalia border on July 1, 2016. Six people were killed in the attack. PHOTO | MANASE OTSIALO
What you need to know:
Six people were killed after two buses were sprayed with bullets by Al-Shabaab terrorists near El Wak in Mandera County in northeast Kenya close to the Somalia border on Friday morning.
One bus, called Tawakal, was sprayed with bullets between El Wak and Wargadud, but the driver sped off.
The second bus, e-Coach, stalled after it was hit with bullets. Most of those who died were in the second bus.
Six people were killed after two buses were sprayed with bullets by Al-Shabaab terrorists near El Wak in Mandera County in northeast Kenya close to the Somalia border on Friday morning.
"Police on the scene have found six persons shot dead," said Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet. "The hunt for the terrorists is under way."
The Mandera County Commissioner Fredrick Shisia said police is yet to confirm the number of passengers injured in the 10am (0700 GMT) attack.
The injured are being treated at Wargadud Health Centre.
One bus, called Tawakal, was sprayed with bullets between El Wak and Wargadud, but the driver sped off.
The second bus, e-Coach, stalled after it was hit with bullets. Most of those who died were in the second bus.
A Kenya Police reservist is among those killed while another was injured. The reservists were escorting the buses.
Mr Shisia said police have launched a security operation in the area.
The county security committee said the move was a “short-term” measure aimed at reducing tension and allow for the reorganisation of security operations.
Mandera has witnessed similar deadly attacks in the past claimed by the Somali-led Al-Qaeda group, the Shabaab.
The deadliest raid was in November 2014 when gunmen flagged down a commuter bus, separated passengers by religion and executed 28 non-Muslims. A similar raid in December 2015 left two people dead, after Muslim passengers shielded their Christian fellows.
On Thursday the US State Department issued a warning to its citizens to "avoid travel to the border areas of Kenya because of threats by the terrorist group Al-Shabaab" with El Wak and Mandera among the areas ruled off-limits.
