Five quarry workers were killed and two others seriously injured on Tuesday morning following an attack by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Bur Abor Village, Mandera East.
According to authorities, the assailants ambushed the group of workers at around 7:00 a.m. as they arrived at the quarry site. The attackers, believed to be heavily armed, surrounded the workers’ vehicle before opening fire indiscriminately.
Mandera County Commissioner Henry Ochako confirmed the incident, stating that the attackers targeted the workers as they began their daily activities. “We can confirm that five people lost their lives in the attack, while two others sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a local health facility,” Ochako said.
Out of approximately 32 workers present at the site, 25 managed to escape unharmed. Security personnel responded swiftly and launched a pursuit operation, although the militants had already fled the area by the time reinforcements arrived.
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Mandera County, a region that has long struggled with insecurity due to its proximity to the Somalia border. Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked militant group based in Somalia, has previously staged similar attacks targeting non-local workers and government installations in Kenya’s northeastern region.
Local leaders and residents have expressed growing concerns over the resurgence of cross-border attacks and are calling for increased security measures in the region. “We are deeply saddened and outraged by this attack. The government must enhance security patrols and intelligence sharing to prevent further loss of lives,” said one area elder.
The Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government has reiterated its commitment to improving security in the region. Security agencies are currently combing the area in search of the assailants and to secure nearby communities.
The tragic incident has once again highlighted the ongoing threat posed by Al-Shabaab militants in northern Kenya and the urgent need for coordinated efforts to protect vulnerable communities and workers operating in high-risk areas.
Investigations into the attack are ongoing.
