Two police officers were killed and five others injured on Wednesday after their vehicle ran over an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along the Liboi-Kulan road in Garissa County.
The incident occurred near the porous Kenya-Somalia border, a region frequently targeted by terrorists. The vehicle, belonging to the Border Patrol Unit, was struck by the IED, which had been planted by the Somali-based militant group al-Shabaab. One officer died on the spot, while another succumbed to injuries later.
Police confirmed that the Land Cruiser was patrolling the area when it hit the explosive. The attack comes after months of relative calm following intensified security operations in the region.
In October 2025, police from the elite Special Operations Group (SOG) intercepted eight al-Shabaab members attempting to set up IEDs along the Welmerer-Yumbia road in Garissa. Officers engaged the terrorists, recovered the explosives, and destroyed them, although the group managed to escape. Local communities have increasingly assisted police in reporting suspicious activities, aiding ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
Garissa County has historically been a stronghold for al-Shabaab, as the group frequently crosses the porous border from Somalia to plan attacks. Persistent security operations have disrupted many of these plans, but risks remain high.
This attack follows a similar incident in October 2025, when Constable Orwa was killed in an ambush by gunmen in Dagahaley, Wajir County. The officers were responding to a shooting report when the gunmen, believed to be al-Shabaab members, opened fire.
Al-Shabaab has exploited Somalia’s long-standing instability since the 1991 overthrow of President Siad Barre. Kenya launched Operation Linda Nchi in 2011 to counter cross-border terrorism and protect its citizens, especially following the kidnapping of foreign aid workers in Dadaab. Subsequent operations, including Operation Sledge Hammer, have allowed Kenyan forces to secure key regions near the border and dismantle terrorist networks.
Authorities have urged continued vigilance along the border and commended local communities for cooperating with security agencies to prevent further attacks.
