Questions over KDF, AP gun battle that killed 2 soldiers

Questions are being raised over how two major security units engaged each other in a fierce 30-minute gun battle that led to the death of two soldiers on Wednesday.

Two soldiers were killed by Administration Police’s Rural Border Patrol Unit officers who suspected them to be Al-Shabaab militants at Sheikh Barrow, Mandera County.

It is reported that the two units mistook each other to be Al Shabaab militants and a gunfight ensued. KDF soldiers came across the AP camp, thought it belonged to militants and opened fire.

“The KDF soldiers were coming from Damasa Military Camp. The patrol unit is based at Sheikh Barrow. Everything points at this being friendly fire,” said Deputy County Commissioner Charles Mbulishe.

The AP officers responded with more fire and a gunfight started that lasted for close to 30 minutes which led to the death of the two soldiers.

Speaking to journalists, Mr. Mbulishe confirmed the incident but refused to reveal the exact number of officers injured during the shootout.

However sources who spoke to Citizen Digital indicate that 7 people were critically injured during the shootout.

Queries over how KDF mistook the AP camp for an Al Shabaab camp and also how in the shootout that lasted for a half hour, the APs did not identify the KDF vehicles. It is believed there is intelligence that lets the security units know where everyone is based.

Many believe the “friendly fire” would have been avoided and there are investigations to get to the bottom of the matter.