Two arrested over Al Shabaab Wajir bus attack

A driver and one passenger of the ill-fated Mandera-bound bus were arrested as investigations into the Al Shabaab ambush gets underway.

The two are set to be questioned over the attack that claimed 11 lives; with the highest casualty being police officers who were returning to their work stations.

According to authorities, the passenger reportedly kept using his phone throughout the journey prior to the attack.

The Kenya Police Service has been the hardest hit by the attack with eight officers killed and two others still missing.

Two civilians and one doctor were also executed by the Al Shabaab militants.

The attackers reportedly separated locals from non-locals before releasing the bus and executing the non-locals.

The bus is presently being held at Kutulo Police Station in Wajir County.

“This a criminal gang that has no religion…that has no human face…that has no value at all,” said Eldas Member of Parliament Adan Keynan.

Ten bodies recovered from the scene were transferred to Wajir mortuary by special forces with one more being moved there early Saturday morning.

The bodies of the civilians were later airlifted to Wilson Airport before being transferred to various city morgues in two hearses, while those of the officers are said to have been airlifted to Gilgil.

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) condemned the attack indicating that the ultimate goal of the militants was to drive a wedge and cause discord between Kenyans of different faiths.

SUPKEM urged Kenyans not to fall into the trap of the extremist elements but remain focused on building peaceful communities for harmonious co-existence.