GARISSA, Kenya – Two people were killed on Saturday night after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated under their car in Bodhai, Madah Adon area of Garissa County.
The victims, identified as Mohamed Shabel Bashir and Abdikadir Muhumed Salat — both locals — died on the spot, according to police reports and eyewitness accounts.
The explosion occurred on July 13 and is suspected to have been caused by a roadside bomb planted by unknown individuals.
The bodies were buried on Monday in accordance with Islamic rites.
Ijara MP Abdi Ali Abdi condemned the incident, describing it as a “senseless act of violence” that highlights the persistent threats facing residents of northern Kenya.
“This senseless act of violence is a painful reminder of the persistent threats facing our communities and underscores the urgent need to safeguard the lives of our citizens,” the MP said in a statement.
He called on national and regional security agencies to move swiftly to investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Police said the two victims were the only occupants of the vehicle at the time of the blast. Investigations are underway to determine the source of the IED and the motives behind the deadly ambush.
The incident comes just days after a separate IED attack injured seven police officers in Mandera East on July 8.
The officers were travelling between Aresa and Khalalia when their patrol vehicle ran over an explosive device at around 1:00 a.m.
All were rushed to a local hospital for treatment, with the police vehicle left extensively damaged.
Although the region has experienced relative calm in recent months following sustained security operations, authorities warn that the threat of terror-related violence — particularly from al-Shabaab militants operating across the porous Kenya–Somalia border — remains high.
National Police Service spokesperson Michael Muchiri said multi-agency security teams have been dispatched to the affected areas to pursue those behind the attacks and prevent further incidents.
“We are intensifying efforts to dismantle terror networks operating in the region. Community cooperation remains vital in these efforts,” said Muchiri.
He urged locals to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to security agencies.
The Bodhai area and wider northeastern Kenya have long grappled with insecurity stemming from cross-border incursions by Somalia-based militant groups.
While recent operations have reduced the frequency of attacks, Saturday’s bombing serves as a grim reminder that the threat has not been fully neutralised.
