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Kenya Red Cross airlifts Elwak attack victims to Nairobi for treatment

Detectives in Mombasa County have raised alarm over an emerging crime wave where armed robbers, posing as passengers, target boda boda riders.(Photo: EV)

By Adan Mohamed | 30 Apr 2024

An evacuation aircraft was deployed to transport patients to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialised treatment.

A multi-agency team led by the Kenya Red Cross Society airlifted victims of Monday morning's attack in Elwak to Nairobi for further treatment.

This is after five people were killed in a bomb attack in northern Kenya. The bomb, which exploded in Elwak town in Mandera County, near the border with Somalia, wounded five other people.

Venant Ndighila, Manager of Emergency Preparedness at the Kenya Red Cross, coordinated the response, stating that their team immediately aided the injured after the blast.

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"Despite collaborating with local hospitals, we found that they couldn't handle the critical injuries," Ndighila explained.

To ensure proper medical attention, the Kenya Red Cross activated its casualty system, arranging air evacuation for the injured.

An evacuation aircraft was deployed to transport patients to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialised treatment.

Four critically injured victims were airlifted from the blast site by the organisation, with personnel on board providing stabilisation and mental support.

One of the airlifted individuals, Martin Muthui, who sustained leg injuries, expressed gratitude for the swift action of the Kenya Red Cross.

"My seven colleagues and I were caught off-guard, and four died on the spot," he recounted.

Mandera's police commander Samuel Mutunga assured that those who committed the heinous act would not be spared.

"Security agencies are investigating some leads. We will bring the culprits to book," he said.

As of last night, security had been heightened along the border towns with Somalia to deter further incidents.