Donkey cart explosive kills police officer, injures 4 in Mandera
County Commissioner Amos Mariba said the animal came from Somalia and that its shepherd fled before the explosive detonated.
A police officer was killed and four others injured in Mandera County on Thursday, in an attack involving a donkey cart laden with explosives.
County Commissioner Amos Mariba said the animal came from Somalia and that its guide fled back into that country before the explosive detonated at a police checkpoint.
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Three of the wounded police officers were taken to treatment facilities within the county while one was evacuated for advanced care.
Following the incident, Kenyan officials joined forces with their counterparts in Somalia to apprehend the criminal(s) behind the improvided explosive device.
Mariba said a male suspect was being held by security authorities in Beled Hawo, Somalia
“The donkey cart was carrying plastic jerricans loaded with fuel. It had gone through secuirity clearance on the other side of the border, which Somalia secuirity forces control,” he said.
The scene of the explosion of a donkey cart IED in Mandera County on January 18, 2024. (Photo: Yunis Dekow)
The attack comes days after the United Kingdom issued a travel warning for its citizens in Kenya, urging them to exercise caution and avoid certain areas due to heightened security concerns.
It cautioned British nationals against non-essential travel to eastern Garissa County and Mandera County, excluding Mandera West sub-county. Additionally, areas in Lamu County, except for Lamu Island and Manda Island, are to be avoided.
These regions have experienced many terror attacks linked to Al-Shabaab militants, who often target Kenyan security forces, government installations and soft targets such as hotels and transport hubs.
Additional reporting by Issa Hussein.
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