Four killed, several injured in suspected Al-Shabaab attack in Mandera – KBC

Four people lost their lives and several others were seriously injured following a suspected Al-Shabaab attack in Rhamu, Mandera County.

Confirming the incident, Rhamu Deputy County Commissioner Dennis Kirui said the militants attacked a convoy of police vehicles escorting a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) bus travelling from Mandera to Nairobi Tuesday afternoon.

According to Kirui, police are still providing armed escort to buses plying Nairobi-Mandera route since 2014 after 28 non -Muslim teachers traveling for Christmas holiday lost their lives after the bus they were using was attacked by Al-Shabaab in Mandera West.

An eyewitness Edwin Kiogora narrated the incident pointing out that the militia fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at a Moyale Liner Bus but narrowly missed.

The police quickly engaged the militia group in a shoot-out which led the militia to disappear into the nearby thick bush. Two police officers were killed on the spot.

The two buses were sprayed with bullets by the attackers killing one person on the spot and leaving many others with both serious and minor injuries. One passenger succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at Takaba Sub-county hospital.

Mandera County Referral Hospital Superintendent, Dr Hasaan Kala said, “The Hospital has received 10 patients and two bodies, three of the patients are in stable condition, I am also informed that five (5) patients who were receiving their treatment at Banisa were evacuated to Takaba to be airlifted to Nairobi for specialized treatment”.

Dr Hassan noted that two of the patients brought in were secondary students going back to school after mid-term break.

Police officers are still pursuing the attackers.