Two people were killed early Monday morning in a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Bodhai, Madah Adon area of Ijara, Garissa County, in the latest act of violence to rock the volatile region.
Confirming the incident, Ijara MP Abdi Ali Abdi identified the victims as Mohamed Shabel Bashir and Abdikadir Muhumed Salat, both of whom died at the scene.
“I am deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic incident that occurred in the early hours of this morning in Bodhai, Madah Adon, where a deadly improvised explosive device (IED) attack claimed the lives of Mohamed Shabel Bashir and Abdikadir Muhumed Salat,” Abdi said in a statement.
The MP condemned the attack, calling it a painful reminder of the persistent threat of terrorism in the region.
“This senseless act of violence is a painful reminder of the persistent threats facing our communities and underscores the urgent need to safeguard the lives of our citizens,” he added.
Abdi also urged security agencies to step up their efforts and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“I urge our national and regional security agencies to act swiftly and decisively to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.
While no group has claimed responsibility, suspicion has fallen on Al-Shabaab militants, who have continued to stage attacks across northeastern Kenya in recent months.
The incident comes barely a month after a security operation in Mandera County left two suspected Al-Shabaab fighters dead. On June 10, the elite Special Operations Group of the Counter Terrorism Policing unit launched a pre-dawn raid on militants believed to be planting explosives along the busy Alungu-Elwak road.
“Acting on credible intelligence, the elite Special Operations Group launched a pre-dawn operation on Al-Shabaab militants who were planning to terrorise Kenyans using Alungu-Elwak road,” the agency said in a statement.
Security officers reportedly caught the militants in the act of setting up an IED, leading to a fierce gunfight. Two militants were shot dead, while others fled with injuries.
During the operation, officers recovered two AK-47 rifles, a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) warhead, and a fully assembled IED.
The latest attack has raised fresh concerns over the safety of residents in Garissa and the broader northeastern region, which continues to suffer from periodic attacks linked to the Somalia-based militant group.
Security officials are yet to issue a formal statement on the Ijara incident. Investigations are ongoing.
