Kenya Police Reservists to be deployed along the Somalia border

Northeastern regional commissioner Mohamed Birik. He noted that the KPRs will be posted at the 60 border points with war-torn Somalia.(Courtesy)

GARISSA—The Kenyan government on Wednesday announced it will recruit more Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) to help intensify patrols along the Somalia border.

Speaking in Garissa town, Northeastern regional commissioner Mohamed Birik said the government has finalized plans to recruit the reservists, which will boost security along the porous border that the Somalia-based Al Shabaab terror group has been using to invade the country.

“The reservists will greatly boost the strength of our security officers patrolling the porous border. They will closely work with the chiefs and their assistants on daily engagements,” said Birik.

“Majority of those to be recruited are retired security officers who left the service with good track records. We shall thoroughly vet them,” he added.

The regional government official noted that the KPRs will be posted at the 60 border points with war-torn Somalia.

In a separate meeting with Garissa elders, Birik maintained that elders play a crucial role in security as they have reliable network of getting information from people who trust them.

Garissa Peace Committee secretary Hassan Osman, who spoke on behalf of the elders, called for thorough vetting of the KPR officers, saying Al Shabaab sympathizers may find their way into the unit.

“The exercise might prove counterproductive if it is not carried out well. We might end up having individuals who work with the militants by leaking crucial information,” Osman said.

Last month, Mohamed Birik cautioned bus companies and transporters operating in the Northeastern against helping immigrants from neighboring Somalia to make their way into the country.

“We intend to seal all loopholes, areas of weakness and avenues through which aliens come into the country,” said the Northeastern regional commissioner.

In the recent past Al Shabaab has launched attacks in Kenya targeting civilians, in revenge for Kenya moving its troops into Somalia in 2011.

Recently, the Al Shabaab have sort to use Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to stage their attacks. Security officers have been the most affected in such attacks.