Security agencies in Mandera East have launched an investigation following an explosion that left a 35-year-old man severely injured in the Bula Buruburu area.
The victim, identified in a police report as Adan Mohamed, suffered catastrophic injuries including the severance of his right wrist when a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated around 6:30 PM.
According to preliminary police reports, Mohamed was suspected to have been handling or carrying the device when it went off unexpectedly.
A multi-agency response team comprising officers from the Kenya Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), General Service Unit (GSU), and National Police Reservists (NPRs) swiftly secured the scene after the blast was heard across the locality.
Investigating officers recovered a TECNO mobile phone alongside metallic fragment debris, which are currently undergoing forensic analysis to determine the device’s origin and trigger mechanism.
Mohamed was rushed to Mandera Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he remains admitted in critical condition under tight police guard.
This explosion highlights the persistent security challenges along Kenya’s North Eastern frontier near the Somalia border. Counties like Mandera, Garissa, and Lamu have seen repeated tactical deployments of improvised explosives targeting security patrols, critical infrastructure, and supply lines.
This threat was underscored by a deadly attack in the El-Raamo area of Kutulo, Mandera County. In that incident, five security personnel comprising four elite Special Operations Group (SOG) officers and one National Police Reservist (NPR) lost their lives after their patrol vehicle struck a buried IED along the Alungu Main Supply Route before coming under heavy gunfire ambush. A reinforcement unit sent to assist was also delayed after another armored vehicle struck a secondary device.
Security operations across Mandera County remain heightened as multi-agency forces scale up mine-clearing sweeps, intelligence-led operations, and border surveillance to flush out militant networks operating along the border corridors.
