DIG Masengeli, TSC officials visit Hulugho after al-Shabaab kills chief and teacher

The normally quiet township of Hulugho in northern Kenya was left reeling after the killing of a chief and a teacher in a suspected al Shabaab attack.

The violence, which also saw the chief’s car blown up at his home, sent shockwaves through the community, leaving residents anxious and fearful of an exodus of non-locals.

Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli, representing Inspector General Douglas Kanja, visited the township on Tuesday.

He met the bereaved families, including the widow of the slain Boma chief, Aftina Wabi, and colleagues of Peter Musili, a young teacher who lost his life while serving the community.

Masengeli reassured residents that multi-agency security teams had been deployed and were actively pursuing the attackers.

“The National Police Service is fully committed to ensuring those responsible for this senseless act are apprehended and brought to justice,” he said, emphasising the need for timely intelligence from the local community to prevent further attacks.

Masengeli also held a closed-door briefing with officers from local formed-up units and forward operating bases, directing them to intensify patrols within Hulugho and along the porous Kenya-Somalia border.

He was accompanied by General Service Unit Commandant Ranson Lolmodooni, national police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga and senior officials from the Teachers Service Commission.

The attack underscores the persistent security challenges in northern Kenya, where al Shabaab militants have repeatedly targeted teachers, government workers and security officers.