GARISSA, Kenya- A senior police officer and his driver were killed Friday morning after their Land Cruiser struck a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) along the Saretho–Dadaab Main Supply Route in Garissa County.
The blast occurred at about 6am as the vehicle, attached to Hagadera Police Station, was travelling along the route.
The two officers were identified as Hagadera Officer Commanding Police Division Stephen Ekirapa and driver Corporal David Rotich.
The explosion extensively damaged the Land Cruiser.
A security team responded to the scene, but those responsible were not found, according to preliminary reports.
Investigations are under way and security operations in the area have been intensified.
Attackers remain unidentified
Authorities had not publicly confirmed who planted the explosive or announced any arrests.
Some reports have pointed to suspected al-Shabaab involvement, but there was no verified claim of responsibility at the time of reporting.
The attack adds to the security threat facing police and other personnel travelling along routes near the Kenya-Somalia border.
In July, six Kenyan security officers were killed when their vehicle struck an IED in the El-Raamo area of Mandera County, according to earlier reports.
