On Sunday 21st July 2019, 1000hrs EAT, the Somali based terror group Harakat Shabaab Mujahideen raided a construction site outside El-Wak border town, North Eastern Kenya, in an attempt to kill or kidnap approximately 8 non-Muslims, construction workers. The attackers opened assault rifle fire at the construction workers injuring one person. The attackers further attempted to kidnap the non-local construction workers.
Local community members preempted the attack. Local youth and elders surrounded the attackers and ordered them to leave. The terrorists fired at the locals injuring one person and withdrew from the area. The locals called in an ASTU unit based in the general area. Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) unit manning the El-Wak South road intercepted the group. 2 Militants were shot dead trying to cross back to Somalia while the other 3 managed to escape. All construction workers were evacuated and security officers deployed in the area.
Community policing and participation in countering violent extremism seems to be working tremendously well in the Republic of Kenya. The country continues to excel in combating terrorism. The even in El-Wak demonstrates how government counter-terrorism programs have outbid the terror groups previous administrative and social hegemony along the NEP Prefecture. The participation of Muslims in eradicating religious and social fundamentalism is a critical milestone in combating terrorism. The locals demonstrated a rare case of both nationalism and patriotism by protecting non-local who are also non-Muslims.
