Kenya Killings: Police chief Quits and Interior Minister Fired
   
    

Kenya's president announced a security shakeup Tuesday, firing his Interior Minister and accepting the resignation of the national police chief, in the wake of a series of deadly attacks by Islamic extremists from neighboring Somalia.

President Uhuru Kenyatta named an opposition politician and retired army general, Joseph Nkaissery, to be the new Interior Minister, in charge of security.

Police Chief David Kimaiyo said he resigned for personal reasons.

Public pressure had been mounting for the two officials to be replaced following a string of extremist attacks.

The changes come after Islamic extremists from Somalia killed 36 quarry workers in northern Kenya early Tuesday, targeting non-Muslims just like an attack 10 days ago on bus passengers.

The Tuesday killings happened in Mandera County near the border with Somalia and the attackers escaped.

The gunmen singled out non-Muslims and killed them, said the police. The quarry camp is in the Koromey area on the outskirts of Mandera town, said presidential spokesman Manoah Esipisu.

source: abcnews