By Horn Africa News Staff | Garissa
Kenya — At least seven police officers sustained serious injuries in a roadside bomb attack targeting their vehicle in Kenya’s Mandera East sub-county, in what authorities suspect was a coordinated assault by the Somalia-based militant group Al-Shabaab.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight on July 8 along the road between Aresa and Khalalia, near the village of Gadudia-Laga. The officers were traveling in a police vehicle that had departed from Bambo and was en route to Mandera town when it struck an improvised explosive device (IED) buried along the roadside.
Security officials confirmed that the powerful blast caused significant destruction to the vehicle and inflicted severe injuries on the officers on board. The wounded were quickly rushed to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
“The extent of injuries is grave, and the vehicle was completely wrecked,” said a police source familiar with the situation.
Following the attack, a large-scale security operation was launched in the area involving joint forces from the police and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in an effort to track down the attackers and prevent further ambushes.
Kenya’s National Police Service spokesperson, Michael Muchiri, confirmed the incident and said the government is intensifying efforts to counter the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab. “Operations to dismantle Al-Shabaab networks continue, although these sporadic attacks still pose a major challenge,” Muchiri stated.
In a separate but related incident, Al-Shabaab militants carried out a brutal attack in the Qarsa area of Wajir County, killing a local administrator and his uncle. According to The Star newspaper, the victims were Senior Chief Adow Ali and his uncle Noor Gathuf.
Eyewitnesses reported that armed militants stormed the chief’s home late at night and demanded he come outside. When he refused, they reportedly hurled a grenade into the house, dragged him out, and shot him three times. The attackers then proceeded to a nearby house, where they fatally shot his uncle.
The attacks have raised fresh concerns over security in the North Eastern region, which has seen a surge in cross-border raids and ambushes by Al-Shabaab in recent months. Residents of both Mandera and Wajir counties are now expressing deep fear and frustration over the deteriorating security situation.
“We are living in fear every night. No one feels safe anymore, not even government officials,” said a resident in Wajir who asked to remain anonymous.
Security analysts say the recent spate of violence signals a possible escalation in Al-Shabaab’s activities inside Kenya, particularly in border regions where the group seeks to destabilize local governance and instill fear.
Authorities have called on the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces as counterterrorism efforts continue across the region.
