Eight police officers sustained injuries when their vehicle struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Khorof Haraar, Wajir County, on the night of December 17.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on the road between Khorof Haraar and Konton.
The officers, part of a joint patrol team from the Special Operations Group, the Border Patrol Unit, and the Kotulo unit, were responding to reports of al-Shabaab militants operating in the area.
The team was traveling in two vehicles, including an Mrap and a DCD vehicle.
The DCD vehicle, leading the convoy, struck the roadside bomb, which severely damaged it and injured eight officers onboard.
The trailing vehicle stopped to evacuate the injured officers, who were rushed to the hospital in serious condition.
Police believe the attackers had prior knowledge of the patrol’s movement, as the incident occurred under the cover of darkness.
Following the attack, another security team combed the area but did not locate any suspects.
The al-Shabaab terror group has been known to target security personnel along the Kenya-Somalia border, planting roadside bombs and carrying out ambushes.
The region, including Mandera, Wajir, Lamu, and Garissa counties, has seen increased attacks due to its proximity to Somalia.
The Kenyan government has intensified multi-agency security operations in the area to combat militant activities.
These efforts have reduced such incidents but challenges persist, including the ability of terrorists to cross the porous border with ease.
The attacks have resulted in loss of lives, displacement, and hindered development in affected regions.
The instability in Somalia continues to complicate efforts to eliminate the threat entirely.
