At least 10 people have been shot and injured in Garissa after KDF soldiers reportedly shot indiscriminately at protesters who were trying to block military vehicles along Kismayu road that were headed to Somalia.

Tension remains high in the area following the killing of three KDF soldiers yesterday. Several businesses have remained closed and residents have opted to remain indoors as KDF patrols the area.

The town was yesterday placed under an unofficial curfew as soldiers conducted a house-to-house search for the killers of three soldiers early on Monday.

The soldiers had stopped to change a tire on their truck at a local garage on Kismayu Road next to Midnimo Hotel when they were shot dead by unknown assailants. The bodies of the dead officers were taken to Garissa Provincial General Hospital.

A senior policeman confirmed that soldiers had "taken over" Garissa town which has borne the brunt of al Shabaab attacks since the KDF entered Somalia in October last year.

"The soldiers are here to conduct a house to house search for guns and other ammunition. They have been joined by GSU who are patrolling the streets," the policeman said.

Yesterday, Dujis MP Aden Duale protested that the army was harassing innocent civilians and said he would organize a demonstration. "They (al Shabaab) have killed three soldiers and now the army is here beating everyone. We must protest this kind of behaviour," Duale said.

Businesses were hurriedly closed and people were ordered to stay indoors. Journalists were barred from taking photographs of deserted streets and closed shops. No vehicles were allowed to leave or enter the town.