MANDERA, Kenya — The National Police Service has confirmed that six people were killed and three others seriously injured following an armed attack by suspected militia along the Mandera-Arabia road on Saturday morning.
In a statement issued by NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, police said the attack occurred shortly after a passenger matatu passed the Omar Jillo Centre in Mandera County.
According to the police, the Nissan matatu registration number KAQ 914S had been hired to transport family members to Arabia Town when it came under indiscriminate gunfire from suspected militia.
“Upon receiving the distress call, a multi-agency security team responded swiftly,” the statement said.
Three other victims sustained serious injuries and were later transferred to Mandera County Referral Hospital for specialised treatment after being stabilised.
The National Police Service condemned the attack and extended condolences to the families of the deceased while wishing the injured a quick recovery.
“A multi-agency team, including specialised units, remains actively deployed in the area, where a comprehensive search and pursuit operation is underway with the sole aim of hunting down the perpetrators,” the statement added.
The service said security agencies remain committed to bringing those responsible to justice and assured residents that additional security measures had been deployed in the area.
The latest attack is expected to heighten fears over insecurity in the region, which has experienced repeated incidents linked to armed militants and cross-border criminal activity due to its proximity to the Somalia border.
Police appealed to members of the public with information that could assist investigations to report to the nearest police station or use toll-free emergency numbers and anonymous reporting channels, including the #FichuaKwaDCI platform.
