GARISSA, Kenya – Fafi Member of Parliament Salah Yakub has criticized the National Intelligence Service (NIS) in Fafi for failing to prevent a recent Al-Shabaab attack in Biyamadowe that left six security officers dead and four others injured.
Speaking during an Iftar gathering at Warable Centre, Yakub called for stronger collaboration between intelligence agencies and the local community to prevent future assaults.
“The inability of the intelligence service in Fafi to provide accurate intelligence warnings, due to their isolation from the community and at times failing to act on intelligence information regarding impending attacks, remains a significant challenge,” said Yakub.
The MP emphasized the need for intelligence officers to work closely with residents to gather reliable information that could help thwart terrorist activities.
Yakub also criticized the government for failing to honor pledges aimed at improving security in the region.
He noted that when Deputy President Kithure Kindiki previously served as Interior Cabinet Secretary, he had promised to recruit 300 Kenya Police Reservists (NPRs), establish new administrative units, deploy special forces at Harbole, and build security roads in the area.
“These promises remain unfulfilled, leaving the region vulnerable to continued militant threats,” Yakub said, urging the government to take immediate action.
Yakub warned that Al-Shabaab militants fleeing from Somalia were infiltrating Kenyan territory, posing a serious security threat.
He expressed concerns about how this infiltration could destabilize the region and jeopardize ongoing road infrastructure projects in Northern Kenya.
Ahmed Siyad, a former intelligence officer and Fafi resident, echoed Yakub’s call for the recruitment and proper equipping of Kenya Police Reservists.
He argued that NPRs could play a crucial role in safeguarding the region but emphasized the importance of adequate training and resources.
However, Siyad dismissed the idea of arming community vigilante groups such as the Macawisley, citing their lack of training and proper equipment.
“The Macawisley are not a disciplined force. They lack basic counter-insurgency skills, proper weaponry, and communication tools, making them vulnerable to militant attacks,” he said.
Siyad urged leaders to advocate for the establishment of permanent police posts and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) detachments in high-risk areas to enhance security and ensure swift responses to attacks.
The National Police Service, through its spokesperson Michael Muchiri, assured the public earlier this week of intensified efforts to eliminate Al-Shabaab threats and prevent further loss of life.
