A probe has been launched following an incident in Mandera where a 70-year-old woman was struck by a stray bullet fired from across the border in Somalia. The incident occurred on Sunday, September 28, 2025, in the Barwaqo area near the town of Bula Hawa, which has been a hotspot for clashes between armed groups fighting for control.
According to police, the woman was in her home when the bullet fell from the sky and struck her in the upper right hand. The projectile lodged in her hand, and she was immediately rushed to Mandera Referral Hospital. A successful surgery was performed to remove the bullet, and she is currently receiving medical attention.
The bullet is believed to have been fired from the ongoing conflict in Bula Hawa, a town located just across the border in Somalia’s Gedo region. The area has been experiencing escalating violence, with local groups clashing for control of the strategic town. The situation in Bula Hawa has raised concerns about the spillover of violence into neighboring regions in Kenya.
The Kenyan government has expressed concerns about the impact of these ongoing clashes on the safety of its citizens living in the border areas. In August, a similar incident occurred when a 44-year-old Kenyan woman was killed by an explosive device near the border. The device, believed to have been launched from Bula Hawa, landed in Mandera, causing the tragic death of the victim.
Local authorities are working with their Somali counterparts to find a resolution to the tensions, which have been exacerbated by the instability in Somalia. The fighting between federal troops and forces loyal to the semi-autonomous Jubaland administration has added to the volatility of the region. The Kenyan government has heightened security along the border, with increased patrols to prevent further incidents.
There are growing fears among locals that the clashes could lead to more casualties in both Kenya and Somalia. The Kenyan military has previously intervened in Somalia through operations such as Linda Nchi and Sledgehammer to secure the border and maintain stability. The presence of Kenyan troops has helped push back militants, but the ongoing situation in Somalia remains volatile.
Security experts are closely monitoring the situation, urging for diplomatic efforts to resolve the tensions and prevent further harm to civilians in the border region.
