Kenyan police officers feared dead in suspected Al-Shabaab attack in Mandera

Kenyan administration police officers inspect a smoldering office after a militia attack in Mandera town, northeast Kenya. Suspected Somali militia attacked Mandera Central Administration police camp and killed two administration police officers, wounded another and destroyed 12 vehicles in explosions. File Photo: XINHUA PHOTO - ADOW JUBAT — Kenyan administration police officers inspect a smoldering office after a militia attack in Mandera town, northeast Kenya. Suspected Somali militia attacked Mandera Central Administration police camp and killed two administration police officers, wounded another and destroyed 12 vehicles in explosions. File Photo: XINHUA PHOTO – ADOW JUBAT

Suspected Al-Shabaab militants attacked a police post in Arabia region in the northern county of Mandera in Kenya Thursday morning with unconfirmed reports indicating they may have killed some officers and made away with voter registration kits.

The militants are reported to have cut off a mast belonging to the telco, Safaricom before ambushing the camp in the wee hours of the morning.

The Kenyan media quoting Lafey Deputy County Commissioner Eric Oronyi says about ten officers were at the camp when the attack happened. Oronyi however said they had not lost any officer but sections of the media claim possible deaths.

“We have lost no officer but one student was hit by a stray bullet during the incident from their family house,” said Oronyi.

The militants went away with a police vehicle, motorcycle, three rifles, bullets and four voter registration kits belonging to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

The attack comes barely a week after a deadly attack on Kenyan soldiers in Kulbiyow, Lower Jubba in Somalia claimed dozens of the forces in what Al-Shabaab indicated was at least 67. Kenya has not formally released the toll.

Al-Shabaab have severally invaded towns in Mandera and Wajir counties in Kenya destroying communication masts and attacking police camps.

Kenya’s ICT Minister Joe Mucheru warned last year Al-Shabaab could pose a threat to the elections slated for August this year should the country rely on an electronic means during the voting and relay of electoral results.

A response team from the Kenya Defence Forces has been dispatched to the area, authorities have said.