Passenger killed after militia attack Mandera bound bus

By Adow Jubat

Mandera, Kenya: One person was killed and three others sustained gunshot injuries after armed militia attacked a bus along Arabia-Mandera road.

The bus, which was heading to Mandera from Nairobi, was indiscriminately sprayed with bullets by the militia, who erected roadblocks to block vehicles plying the road near Arabia area.

According to a victim, Ahmed Yussuf, the ten attackers opened fire at the bus after the driver ignored their orders to stop.

 “I heard a bang and when I looked out in the window, I saw a man running from the bush towards us and he had a gun,” says Alex Kithaka, a driver of Takawal bus services, which was a meter behind the bus which was attacked.

“He shot at us but missed the tyres,” he added.

Ali Hassan, one of those injured and admitted at the Mandera County hospital, said the militia opened fire when they saw the bus speeding.

“They shot at our bus and the driver lost control and hit a tree before we stalled,” Hassan added.

The militia later caught up with the passengers’ in the ill-fate bus and stole their valuables including mobiles [hones, money and other personal effects.

The deceased was pronounced on arrival at Mandera county Hospital.

Mandera East DCIO Peter Matu said they have dispatched police officers to pursue the attackers

“We have received relevant information and our officers are already on the ground together with KDF soldiers to bring order along that route,” said Peter Matu.