Pictures have emerged of Kenya Defence Forces allegedly raiding al Shabaab camps and killing more than 100 militants in Somalia after the Mandera bus ambush that claimed 28 lives.
The Star has independently verified that the photos released by the Kenya Defence Forces have not been posted on any online platform. This is despite the fact that some of the photos have time stamps from 2012.
Deputy President William Ruto announced on Sunday afternoon that those who carried out the bus attack did not live to ‘enjoy’ the act.
Somalia’s Islamist al Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for the attack on Saturday, when gunmen ordered passengers on the bus to recite Koran verses and shot dead non-Muslims – 19 men and nine women – who could not.
The group said the killing outside Mandera was in retaliation to raids on mosques in Mombasa county.
Police said on Saturday that security forces pursued the attackers as they fled to Somalia after the ambush.
“Two successful operations were carried out against the perpetrators of these murderous executions across the border. Our retaliatory action left in its trail more than 100 fatalities,” Ruto told a news conference in Nairobi.
Ruto said a camp used by the attackers and four “technicals” – pick-up trucks mounted with guns – were also destroyed.
“Our message to them is clear – you may sneak and attack innocent civilians. But for any attack on Kenya and its people, we shall pursue you wherever you go,” Ruto said, without naming al Shabaab.
Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab’s military operations spokesman however denied the allegations and said all those who took part in the attacks were unharmed.
“We have seen the absurd claim by the Kenyan authorities that they killed the Mujahideen who carried out the Mandera attack, a totally baseless and unfounded claim,” Musab said.
Musab added that the claims were proof the Kenyan government’s inability to secure the country hence resorting to cover ups.
“Claims like these are only spewed by the Kenyan authorities to cover up their failure to secure the safety of their people and in an attempt to douse the raging anger of Kenyan public, after the severe blow the Mujahideen delivered to them,” Musab said.
Saturday’s attacks drew international condemnation from Somalia, Britain, the United States and the United Nations.
Former prime minister Raila Odinga called on the government to do more to counter the country’s deteriorating security.
“When can we expect an end to this desperate state of affairs? Where is the bottom?” Odinga, now an opposition leader, asked in a statement.
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