Police Deploy Elite Units to Secure Mwingi-Garissa Highway

The National Police Service has authorized the immediate deployment of the General Service Unit and the Rapid Deployment Unit to provide armed escorts for vehicles along the Mwingi-Garissa road.

National Police Service Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga confirmed the move on Wednesday, noting that the specialized units will oversee movement on the stretch to prevent further disruptions.

The decision follows a string of recent attacks that have targeted both public and private vehicles. These incidents created an atmosphere of fear that forced several bus companies to suspend their services entirely.

For a corridor that serves as a primary artery for goods moving toward the North Eastern region and beyond, the halt in traffic has caused significant logistical backlogs.

The Mwingi-Garissa route is essential for the delivery of construction materials and heavy machinery to various infrastructure projects currently underway in the semi-arid counties.

Muchiri Nyaga stated that the deployment is intended to restore confidence among motorists and ensure that the flow of commerce is not permanently hindered by criminal elements.

Security analysts have frequently pointed out that infrastructure development in this region is heavily dependent on the stability of its main transit routes.

When transport companies withdraw their vehicles, the cost of moving materials for roadwork and building projects typically spikes, often leading to delays in project completion timelines.

The Rapid Deployment Unit, which is part of the Administration Police Service, is trained to handle tactical responses in volatile environments, making them a suitable choice for highway patrol in these areas.

They will be working alongside the GSU, an elite paramilitary wing of the police known for managing high-risk internal security threats.

Local leaders have previously called for more permanent security installations along this road, citing its vulnerability due to the vast, sparsely populated terrain it traverses.

The suspension of bus services earlier this week left hundreds of passengers stranded and disrupted the supply chains that support small-scale contractors and traders in Garissa.

With the armed escorts now in place, transport operators are expected to resume scheduled trips, although the frequency of travel may be dictated by the availability of police convoys.

The government has emphasized that securing these transit corridors is a priority for the President Ruto administration, which has pegged regional growth on the success of the Lapsset corridor and its associated feeder roads.

The police have not yet specified how long the escort mandate will remain in effect, but it is expected to continue until the immediate threat level is downgraded.

Motorists are being advised to coordinate with local police stations to find out the specific timing for the organized convoys to avoid being caught on the road without protection.

The situation remains under close monitoring by the Ministry of Interior as they evaluate whether further reinforcements are needed to protect the contractors and commuters using the road.