Kenya to speed up construction of security wall along Somali border

The Kenyan government said Thursday it will hasten the construction of a security wall along its porous border with Somalia following the Mandera terror attack that left 14 people dead earlier this week.

Interior Principal Secretary Monica Juma said the government is more determined in securing the border with Somalia and keep off Al-Shabaab militants from freely crossing into the country.

"The attack in Mandera validates the importance to secure our borders. The threat by Al-Shabaab is upon us and I want to reaffirm our resolve to secure our nation," Juma said when she led an inter-agency team on a site inspection at border Point One in Mandera.

She said the building of the 700 kilometer wall on the Kenya- Somalia border from Mandera in northeast to Kiunga in the coast will keep out the Al-Shabaab elements from infiltrating the country.

The Islamist group has carried a series of deadly attacks in northeast Kenya and other towns, including the capital city of Nairobi since Kenya sent its military into Somalia in 2011 to fight the Al-Qaida inspired group.

Mandera town is situated at the Somali border and stretches for about 20 kilometers from Border Point One, making it prone to frequent terrorist attacks.

During the inspection, Juma called on the residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious characters to the relevant security authorities.

She said that the disaster operation center in Nairobi is in contact with the affected families to ensure that all the assistance they require is provided for.

She also added that the eight people seriously injured in the dawn attack who are admitted at Kenyatta national hospital will receive counseling and other recovery programs from the center. Endi