Kenyan regional security agent wins local hearts to fight Al-Shabaab

As Kenyans mark the first anniversary of the Garissa University College attack in which 148 people were killed, a regional security agent has assured that security has been greatly improved in the region, with cooperation being intensified between police officers, leaders and residents.

Northeastern Regional Coordinator Mohamud Saleh was appointed in June last year following the terror mayhem at the university and his main task was to restore confidence in security agents, among locals and Kenyans in general.

Beside the college attack, Al-Shabaab militants were persistently attacking Kenyans in places of worship, work stations, businesses and social areas such as bars and restaurants in Garissa, Mandera and Wajir counties.

Saleh, who previously worked as a provincial commissioner in the region, said they managed to take control of the security situation, creating a safe haven for the local inhabitants and those from other counties who had come to work and seek business opportunities.

A major breakthrough has been achieved in degrading Al-Shabaab capabilities, with many militants apprehended in towns and refugee camps.

Security officers have also recovered a lot of weapons, including small arms, ammunitions and explosives, according to him.

He noted that security agents have adopted intelligence-led policing where the public are fully involved in collecting and collating information on the movement of Al-Shabaab operatives.

"We came up with an open door policy and allowed the public to access security officers round the clock and share crucial information through the social media to counter Al-Shabaab threats. We overcame the mistrust between the officers and the locals," he told Xinhua.

His team has been organizing security forums with the help of Council of Elders, religious leaders and women's groups.

The administrator said the central government has deployed well-trained and efficient security personnel and provided enough equipment and resources to dismantle the Al-Shabaab network along the borders of the entire region.

"Our state of alertness in the entire region is very high and our officers are ready to deter any threat of terrorist attack," said the regional coordinator.

"The Al-Shabaab militants can no longer attack our people and borders with impunity. Public institutions and businesses with major big populations enjoy 24-hour security from the state."

The government official noted that locals are also psychologically prepared to deal with Al-Shabaab, singling out the recent Mandera bus attack where Muslim passengers refused to be separated from fellow Christians. That show of defiance act against Al-Shabaab's ill-motive received global applause.

According to him, the Kenya government will consider rewarding cash incentives and state commendations to individuals who tirelessly collaborate with the security agencies.

Local residents expressed optimism that the mistrust between them and security agencies would end completely and normalcy would be restored.

Saleh is responsible for coordinating and overseeing security and peace initiatives in the region.

He works with the locals to deal with security challenges, including the radicalization of the youth, ethnic conflicts and the smuggling of goods along the Kenya-Somalia border.

Meanwhile, there has been heightened security around the country particularly along the border with security agencies at an unprecedented state of alert amid the latest reports that Al-Shabaab may carry attacks against Kenya. Enditem