Seven people, including five road construction workers and two police reservists, were killed in an armed ambush in Kenya’s Mandera County, in an attack suspected to have been carried out by Al-Shabaab.
The incident occurred along the road connecting Arabia and Lafey, where the victims were travelling to a road construction site.
According to Kenyan police officials, armed attackers opened fire on the vehicle carrying the workers and security personnel, killing all seven at the scene.
The driver sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a medical facility for treatment. The attackers reportedly fled after the shooting, prompting security forces to launch a search operation to track down those responsible.
The bodies of the victims were taken to a police mortuary for examination as investigators began gathering evidence about the circumstances of the attack and the weapons used.
Kenya’s specialised counterterrorism officers are also participating in the investigation.
The ambush highlights persistent security concerns in areas of northeastern Kenya bordering Somalia, where suspected Al-Shabaab militants have repeatedly targeted security personnel, government workers and civilians.
The group has maintained the capacity to carry out cross-border attacks despite sustained Kenyan security operations.
Road construction and other development projects in the border region have also faced security challenges, with attacks threatening the safety of workers and disrupting infrastructure development and commercial activity.
The Kenyan government has repeatedly pledged to intensify operations against Al-Shabaab, particularly in counties bordering Somalia.
However, the latest killings underscore the continuing difficulties facing security forces as they seek to protect communities, infrastructure projects and transport routes in the region.