Six Kenyan police officers narrowly escaped death after their patrol vehicle hit an improvised explosive device (IED) in Mandera County on Friday morning, March 13, 2026.
According to reports, the officers were travelling from Elwak Police Station to Udole Pit on a relief mission when the incident occurred around 6:30 am along the Elwak-Wargadud Road.
Authorities suspect the IED was planted by militants operating from neighbouring Somalia, possibly linked to the Al-Shabaab.
The police Land Cruiser, driven by Police Constable Hillary Kiplagat, was struck by a directional IED while overtaking a passenger bus.
The blast caused extensive damage to the vehicle, shattering the windscreen, breaking side mirrors, and damaging the doors. Two windows of the nearby passenger bus were also broken, though the driver fled the scene.
Those injured included:
Corporal Kipkurui Kosgei – bruises on the left hand and general body pain.
PC Hillary Kiplagat – bruises and body pain.
Three National Police Reservists – Jibril Aliow Omar (bruises on hands and abdomen), Abdi Ali Issack (cut above left eye and body pain), and Hussein Issack Mohamed (injuries to abdomen and leg).
Security teams, including the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit and Kenya Defence Forces, launched a manhunt for the attackers, and investigations are ongoing.
This incident follows a string of recent IED attacks in the region, including one in Garissa County on February 23, 2026, which injured three police officers.
Earlier in February, the Counter Terrorism Policing Unit also foiled a planned terror attack targeting Nairobi, seizing assault rifles, pistols, and explosive devices from suspected militants.
Tags
News