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At least two Kenyan police reservists were killed and two others seriously injured on Thursday after an improvised explosive device detonated near a border patrol position in Mandera County, close to Kenya’s frontier with Somalia. The attack took place in a remote and insecure area that has experienced repeated militant violence over the years, highlighting the ongoing security challenges facing communities and security forces along the border.
According to Kenyan police, the explosion occurred at Kulun Border Point Four along the Bulla Hawa–Mandera crossing, approximately 100 meters inside Kenyan territory in Mandera East Sub-County. The area lies in northeastern Kenya, a region characterized by vast, sparsely populated terrain and a porous border that makes it difficult to monitor movements across the frontier.
The officers were members of the National Police Reserve and were conducting a routine patrol at the time of the blast. Security officials believe the attack was likely carried out by the al-Qaida-linked militant group al-Shabab, which has a long history of targeting Kenyan security personnel in border areas. Although no group has officially claimed responsibility for the incident, the method used is consistent with previous attacks attributed to the militant organization.
Police said that immediately after the explosion, security teams from multiple agencies moved in to secure the scene. Investigators recovered evidence from the area and safely detonated a second improvised explosive device that had been planted nearby, preventing further casualties. Authorities also confirmed that all weapons issued to the officers were accounted for, and the bodies of the deceased were released to their families for burial in line with Islamic traditions.
The two officers who lost their lives were identified as Police Constable Abdirashid Shabellow Ali and Corporal Mohammed Abdow Issack. Colleagues and local residents described them as dedicated officers who played a key role in maintaining security in an area that often faces threats from cross-border militancy.
Two other reservists were wounded in the attack. Police Constable Abdullahi Jillow Adan sustained injuries caused by the blast but is reported to be in stable condition after receiving medical treatment. Another officer, Police Constable Athan Noor Abdullah Abdi, was critically injured and is undergoing specialized treatment at Mandera Referral Hospital. Medical officials said his condition remains serious but he is receiving close care.
Mandera County, located roughly 1,050 kilometers northeast of Nairobi, has long been considered one of Kenya’s most vulnerable regions due to its proximity to Somalia. The county shares an extensive and difficult-to-secure border with Somalia, where al-Shabab maintains an active presence. Over the years, the group has repeatedly carried out attacks in the region, often using roadside bombs, ambushes, and small-arms fire to target security forces.
Similar incidents have been reported in Mandera and neighboring counties in the past, with police officers and reservists killed or injured while escorting patrols, guarding border points, or responding to suspected incursions. These attacks have not only claimed the lives of security personnel but have also heightened fear among local communities, many of whom depend on the presence of police reservists for protection.
In response to Thursday’s attack, Kenyan authorities said security measures in the area have been strengthened. Additional patrols have been deployed along key border routes, and investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible and prevent further attacks. Officials reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining security in the region despite the risks faced by officers on the ground.
The incident underscores the continued threat posed by militant groups along Kenya’s northeastern border and the challenges security forces face as they work to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity and protect civilians living in these high-risk areas.