At least eight people were killed Tuesday morning when heavily armed assailants ambushed a security vehicle escorting road construction workers in Mandera County, in an attack authorities say bears the hallmarks of al-Shabaab militants operating along the Kenya-Somalia border.
The attack occurred at Koromey, near Hagarsu along Arabia Road, targeting personnel working on the Mandera-Arabia-Lafey road project.
Seven victims died at the scene, while the driver of the security vehicle succumbed to gunshot wounds while being rushed to Mandera County Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Preliminary police reports indicate that the deceased included five engineers and construction workers attached to the road project, two Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) who were providing security escort, and the vehicle’s driver.
Mandera County Police Commander Robinson Ndiwa confirmed the attack, stating that security reinforcements had been deployed to pursue the fleeing assailants.
The attackers specifically targeted the security escort accompanying the construction team, raising fresh concerns over the safety of infrastructure workers in the volatile border region.
Mandera Governor Khalif Adan expressed deep sorrow over the killings, describing them as a devastating loss to the affected families and the wider community. He called on security agencies to act swiftly.
“I call upon the relevant security agencies to urgently investigate this heinous attack and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” Governor Adan stated.
He further emphasised that development activities should proceed in an environment free from fear and intimidation, noting that the victims were individuals contributing to the county’s infrastructure advancement.
The Mandera-Arabia-Lafey corridor has experienced a series of deadly incidents throughout 2026, underscoring the persistent security challenges in Kenya’s northeastern border region.
The area lies near the Kenya-Somalia border, which al-Shabaab militants have frequently breached to conduct attacks inside Kenya.
On July 29, al-Shabaab militants ambushed a Special Operations Group patrol near Wantey Dam, killing five Kenyan security personnel.
Between July 24 and 28, coordinated attacks on Fino and Arabia towns in Lafey Sub-County triggered heavy gunfire and panic among residents. Another attack at Quraqura-Wante left five people dead.
On August 25, six herders were abducted at Wantey Dam in Lafey Sub-County, with suspected militants allegedly demanding ransom in goats, cash or camels.
Earlier, on May 9, gunmen ambushed a public service vehicle in Beer Awayon, killing at least six members of one family who were travelling to a Quran-recitation gathering.
The latest attack comes just days after suspected al-Shabaab militants raided Hulugho Police Station and Gesreb Special Operations Group Camp in Garissa County on November 7.
Security forces repelled the attacks without casualties, while personnel at Damasa Forward Operating Base in Mandera also thwarted an attempted assault by six suspected militants detected by drone.
Multi-agency security forces have launched a manhunt across the border area in pursuit of the attackers. No group had formally claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s ambush by the time of publication, although security analysts noted that the attack pattern matched previous al-Shabaab operations in the region.
A security alert issued following the incident warned of possible follow-up attacks targeting construction workers and security escorts along the Arabia-Lafey road.
Organisations with personnel in the area were advised to suspend non-essential field activities.
