Nairobi, Kenya – Tragedy struck the town of Mandera in northeastern Kenya as an explosion at a small hotel near a police station claimed the lives of four individuals, three of whom were officers. The blast, caused by an improvised explosive device, occurred during breakfast time, injuring several others, two critically, who would be airlifted to Nairobi for treatment, stated Mandera police chief Samwel Mutunga.
Suspicions point towards the east Africa-based extremist group al-Shabab, known for its past attacks in Kenya and Somalia, despite not claiming responsibility for this particular incident. In a separate attack in Lamu County, two police reservists were killed on Sunday, highlighting the ongoing security threats in the region.
Authorities have been vigilant in conducting security operations in areas near the Kenya-Somalia border, such as Garissa County, where materials for making IEDs were intercepted along with weapons. The porous border has been a point of concern as militants have used it to infiltrate and carry out attacks in the past.
The Kenyan government’s previous plans to reopen the border with Somalia were put on hold due to the persistent extremist activities. The postponement came amidst escalating violence, such as the recent attacks in Mandera and Lamu County, underscoring the challenges faced in maintaining peace and security in the region.