Who is to blame for Roba’s third assassination attempt?

The wreckage of the ill-fated police Land Cruiser that was escorting the governor in the Wednesday attack. (Courtesy)

MANDERA—At least five security officers escorting Mandera governor to a location in the county have died following blast attack that targeted his convoy between Fino and Arabia.

The governor was engaged in his reelection campaign when his convoy was attacked with an IED.

Five of his security escort have died following the blast that ripped through their Landcruiser.

“I lost five of my security officers including my personal bodyguard at an attack on my convoy between Arabia and Fino at around 1pm,” Governor Ali Roba said.

However, it was not the first time the former pilot was attacked since he took office four years ago. He was attacked more than five times, but only two had him survive assassination by whisker.

Oct, 2014..

Mandera Governor Ali Roba and his entourage survived death narrowly after an explosion went off as his convoy passed through the town

One of the governor’s bodyguard was injured in the explosion.

March, 2015.

Mandera governor Ali Roba survived yet another deadly attack after Al-Shabaab fighters attacked in his convoy with rocket propelled grenades along Mandera-Arabia Road.

Two police officers and a former chairman of the defunct Mandera county council died in the attack in which more than seven others were wounded.

The convoy was reportedly heading to Wargadud for a public meeting when it came under fire.

The scene of attack is a few kilometers from where the militia killed 28 people the previous year.

A shaken Roba told reporters after the incident that the national government has shown some laxity in dealing with the persistent attacks from militia in the area.

“What is happening in Mandera is unacceptable. The state should protect locals. Our military is protecting Somalia, yet people in Kenya are suffering,” the governor said.

Roba lamented that his request to purchase armored vehicles was met with deaf ears from the internal security ministry yet it is not the first time he is coming under attack.

He accused the government of not taking seriously the threat to his life.

“I don’t know if the government is waiting for me to die before taking my security seriously, maybe they are waiting until I am killed to understand the threats are real,” he said.

But yesterday’s attack attracted the attention of the fire-breathing new chairman of the governor’s council—Turkana governor Josephat Nanok who blamed the Internal Security Cabinet Secretary for taking the governor’s security for granted.

“Stop offering lame justifications for insecurity. Residents of Mandera should enjoy their fundamental right to safety like other citizens,” Nanok said in a statement on Thursday.

“They should not live in fear that the next bullet will have their names on it,” he added.

The Turkana county chief said the ministry has not taken the security of Governor Ali Roba and Mandera residents with the seriousness it deserves.

“How many more must die before the Interior and National Coordination ministry contains this situation?” he asked.

On Thursday, he visited Mandera county to condole with the host, Ali Roba.