DNK International By Our Correspondent,Lafey.
Nine people were injured, four of them seriously, after a passenger matatu struck a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) at Lafey Junction in Mandera County on Thursday evening.
The explosion occurred at around 5.30pm when a civilian Toyota Land Cruiser matatu was travelling from Takaba through Wargadud to Elwak with 10 passengers on board.
Police said the vehicle, driven by Isaack Abdikadir, was hit by a directional IED, leaving several passengers with injuries ranging from bruises to fractures and deep cuts.
Those seriously injured were identified as Adow Sheikh Hussein, who suffered a deep cut on the left arm and another above the right eye; Mustafa Sheikh Hussein Mohamed, who sustained deep facial cuts; Nurow Abdullahi, who complained of spinal injuries; and Harun Hussein, who suffered a fractured left arm and bruises on the left leg.
The remaining injured passengers sustained minor injuries and bruises, while one passenger, Bishar Ahmed Kalnoy, escaped unhurt.
All the victims were rushed to Elwak Referral Hospital for treatment, where police said they were in stable condition.
Security agencies, including officers from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) based in Elwak, launched investigations into the incident as efforts to establish those behind the attack continue.
[DNK-International@August 7, 2026]
