Militants from the Islamist group al-Shabab briefly took over a mosque in northern Kenya, local leaders say.
The jihadists are said to have addressed the congregation for two hours before escaping into a forest.
They criticised Kenyan authorities and warned people not to pass intelligence to the security forces.
The mosque is in Garissa County, 240km (150 miles) from Garissa town, where al-Shabab last month killed at least 148 students from the Garissa University.
Police commander Caleb Matoke told The Standard newspaper that 25 fighters were involved. He said he believed they were sent by Mohamed Kuno, the man Kenyan authorities have accused of being behind the Garissa University college attack.
One resident told the BBC that the militants come to Hulugho town and go to the mosque where they gather people and stat giving out sermons:
“They said that they are also Muslims and they are only targeting government officials whom they have a problem with.”
Al-Shabab has been at war with Kenya ever since Kenyan forces entered Somalia in October 2011 in an effort to crush the militants.
It has staged numerous attacks in Kenya. The recent attack on Garissa University, Westgate mall attack in 2013 which left more than 67 dead.
In a move to keep out al-shabaab from the country, Kenya is building a wall between Somalia and Kenya.
– The standard
