Kenyan officials report that a detonation at a quaint hotel near a police station in the northeastern region has claimed four lives, including three police officers.
The explosion, triggered by an improvised explosive device discreetly placed within the hotel premises, occurred during breakfast hours, causing devastation among diners.
Mandera’s police chief, Samwel Mutunga, disclosed that two individuals sustained severe injuries and will be airlifted to Nairobi for urgent medical attention.
The town, situated on the Somalia border, now grapples with the aftermath of this tragic incident.
Investigators attribute the attack to the East Africa-based extremist organisation al-Shabab, which, despite not claiming responsibility, has a history of orchestrating significant assaults in both Kenya and neighbouring Somalia.
This recent incident follows closely on the heels of another assault in Lamu County on Sunday, where two police reservists lost their lives.
The region, with its dense forest cover, has frequently served as a focal point for security operations due to its reputation as a favoured hideout for al-Shabab militants.
In a simultaneous police operation in Garissa County on the aforementioned day, authorities seized materials utilised in crafting improvised explosive devices (IEDs), alongside an AK-47 rifle and two magazines. Despite the efforts, three individuals successfully eluded capture during the raid.
Situated close to the Kenya-Somalia border, the area has been vulnerable to infiltration by militants who have historically initiated assaults from this region.
The Kenyan government had initially intended to reopen the border with Somalia last year but shelved the plan following extremist attacks.
