Six police officers were injured on Saturday morning after their patrol vehicle struck a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) along the Elwak–Wargadud road in Mandera County.
The incident occurred at around 6:30 a.m. as officers from Elwak Police Station were travelling on a relief mission in a police Land Cruiser.
According to security officials, the explosive device had been planted near the roadside and detonated as the officers’ vehicle passed the area.
Suspected Al-Shabaab IED Explosion Injures Six Police Officers in Mandera County. Photo: Courtesy.
Authorities believe militants linked to Al-Shabaab were responsible for the attack, which appeared to be part of a planned ambush targeting security personnel operating in the border region.
Police reports indicate that the blast caused significant damage to the patrol vehicle and shattered windows of a nearby passenger bus that was travelling along the same route.
The injured officers included driver Police Constable Hillary Kiplagat and Corporal Kipkurui Kosgei, alongside three members of the National Police Reservists who were accompanying the patrol team.
All the injured officers were rushed to a nearby medical facility for treatment, with authorities confirming that none of the injuries were immediately reported as life-threatening.
Security agencies quickly responded to the scene and launched an operation to secure the area following the explosion.
Mandera County has experienced several similar attacks in recent years due to its proximity to the Kenya-Somalia border, where Al-Shabaab militants frequently target security personnel and vehicles using roadside bombs and ambush tactics.
Authorities have intensified patrols and surveillance in the area as investigations continue.
