A police officer was on Thursday, January 18 killed after an improvised explosive device (IED) concealed within a donkey cart detonated at Ina Bari, Mandera.
Two civilians were injured in the explosion which happened at around 9:50 AM after the donkey cart stopped at the Mandera-Somalia border police checkpoint.
The explosion caused a huge fire at the scene and left two donkeys with burns.
The police officer died on the spot while the two injured civilians were rushed to hospital for medical attention.
Mandera County Police Commander Amos Mariba said the donkey cart which was loaded with oil containers was coming from Somalia.
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According to Mariba, the donkey cart operator jumped off and ran away before he triggered the IED.
The Mandera police boss also noted that investigations indicate that the IED attack targeted the Kenyan police officers manning the Kenya-Somalia border.
“This same donkey cart had gone through a security check on the Somalia side of the border only for the device to explode on our officers. That shows our officers were the target,” Mariba stated.
One suspect has so far been arrested in the Somalia town of Bulahawa over the incident. The police have also launched a manhunt in Mandera town for suspects who worked with those in Somalia.
The security agencies have also heightened security in Mandera to ensure the safety of the area and its residents in the wake of the incident.
