Thursday, June 14, 2007
The forces entered the Somali border town of Bulla Hawa and questioned residents on the whereabouts of the officers who vanished on Sunday and are believed to have been kidnapped by Somali militiamen.
"Our security forces are conducting operations on the common border," Anthony Kibuchi, the provincial police commander, told reporters from the Kenyan-Somali border.
"They are looking for clues on the whereabouts of the officers and their firearms," he added.
Bulla Hawa residents confirmed the entry of heavily-armed Kenyan police.
"At about 8.00 am (0500 GMT), we spotted Kenyan police officers here. They were asking people whether they had seen or have information on where the Kenyan police officers could be," said a resident, Hawa Aden Arte.
Residents said militias backing the Somali government were aiding the Kenyan officers in the search.
"The leadership of the militia in this area are cooperating with the Kenyan policemen," said Muhubo Alhaye, the chairwoman of a local women's group.
"There is high tension along the border. People have imposed a curfew on themselves fearing there might be a security operation from Kenya," Alhaye added.
Witnesses said Kenyan armed forces were preparing military trucks and helicopters at the Mandera garrison post to move into Somalia if the two policemen are not released.
Witnesses and officials, who asked to remain unnamed, said the two officers were kidnapped by remnants of a Somali Islamist movement that was dislodged from the country's south and central regions.
Source: AFP, June 14, 2007