A police officer was killed in an ambush by suspected al-Shabaab militants in Dagahaley, Wajir County, on the evening of Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The officer, identified as Constable Elijah Orwa, was part of a police team responding to reports of a shooting incident along the Dagahaley–Mathabaquay route.
According to police reports, Constable Orwa and his two colleagues were accompanied by two members of the National Police Reserve. They were traveling in a private salon car when they were ambushed by gunmen who appeared to have been waiting for them. A fierce exchange of gunfire ensued.
The attack occurred after the vehicle came to a stop, prompting the officers to take cover in nearby bushes. Moments later, the body of Constable Orwa was found lying in a pool of blood next to his service rifle, which was still loaded with 30 bullets and three pouches. The remaining officers stayed at the scene for hours, fearing the attackers were still nearby.
Security officials believe the gunmen were members of the al-Shabaab terror group, which frequently crosses into Kenya through the porous border with Somalia. The militants are known to stage attacks targeting security personnel and public installations in northeastern Kenya.
Police have since intensified operations in the area in a bid to prevent further incidents and dismantle terror cells. Authorities say these ongoing efforts have significantly reduced the frequency of attacks that once plagued Wajir and its neighboring counties.
Kenya has battled al-Shabaab threats for over a decade since the launch of Operation Linda Nchi in October 2011. The military incursion into southern Somalia followed a series of kidnappings and attacks that threatened Kenya’s security and tourism sector. The country continues to maintain a strong security presence along the border as part of efforts to safeguard communities from extremist violence.
