At least five people, including four police officers, have been killed after suspected Al-Shabaab militants ambushed a security patrol in northeastern Kenya, near the country’s border with Somalia.
The attack occurred on Tuesday near the town of Lafey in Mandera County, about 10 kilometres from the Somali border, an area that has witnessed a recent rise in militant activities.
According to a police report cited by AFP, four officers and a police reservist attached to Kenya’s elite Special Operations Group (SOG) were killed during an encounter with suspected Al-Shabaab fighters while on routine patrol.
Kenya’s police spokesman, Michael Muchiri, confirmed the authenticity of the report but did not provide further details.
Local officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the patrol vehicle was first hit by a powerful roadside explosion before the officers came under heavy gunfire from the attackers.
The coordinated assault reportedly claimed the lives of all five security personnel.
One official said Al-Shabaab maintains a significant presence in the area despite ongoing security operations.
“In this area, Al-Shabaab has a strong presence. Everyone knows they are there,” the official said.
Deputy County Commissioner for the Lafey area, Festus Chepkwony, also confirmed that an attack had taken place and said authorities believe Al-Shabaab was responsible, although he could not independently verify the reported death toll.
The Somalia-based extremist group has intensified attacks in Mandera County in recent months.
In June, Kenyan media reported that Al-Shabaab fighters attacked a Special Operations Group camp in Lafey. Last week, the militants also launched attacks on the border settlements of Arabia and Fino, located about 60 kilometres north of Lafey.
The renewed violence has heightened fears among residents living along the Kenya-Somalia border, where security officials say militant activities have increased.
“Al-Shabaab’s offensive operations have increased in the area, and many residents are terrified,” one local official said.
The latest attack underscores the persistent security challenges facing Kenya’s northeastern region despite years of military operations against the Somalia-based militant group.
