There are initial media reports of there Kenya Defence Force (KDF) soldiers being shot dead in Garissa Town today, Monday 19 November, 2012.

The attack comes a day after seven people were killed in an attack on a matatu in the Eastleigh district of Nairobi, although the two events may not be connected.

The victims are reported to have been mending a puncture at about midday when they came under fire and later died of their wounds.

GUN BATTLE WITH SECURITY FORCES

The Standard reports that one of the soldiers was abducted during the incident and that both KDF and General Service (GSU) units were mobilized in response to the attack.

Later, there was said to have been an ‘intense exchange’ of gunfire between security forces and the presumed attackers near the North Eastern Provincial Hospital, while members of the public scrambled for safety.

Business in Garissa meanwhile, has come to a halt.