Five people, including four police officers, were killed after suspected Al-Shabaab militants ambushed a security patrol near Kenya’s border with Somalia, according to local officials.
The attack occurred on Tuesday near Lafey in Mandera County, about 10 kilometres from the Somali border, an area that has witnessed a rise in militant activity in recent months.
A police report seen by AFP said four officers and a police reservist attached to the elite Special Operations Group (SOG) died during an encounter with suspected Al-Shabaab fighters while on patrol.
Police spokesperson Michael Muchiri confirmed the authenticity of the report but declined to provide further details.
Local officials, who spoke anonymously due to security concerns, said the patrol was first struck by an explosive device before coming under heavy gunfire, resulting in the deaths of five personnel.
One official said Al-Shabaab maintains a significant presence in the area, adding that residents are well aware of the group’s activities.
Lafey Deputy Prefect Festus Chepkwony also confirmed the incident, saying investigators believe Al-Shabaab was responsible, although he could not independently verify the reported death toll.
The militant group has intensified attacks around Lafey in recent months. Kenyan media reported that suspected Al-Shabaab fighters attacked an SOG camp in the town in June, while last week they carried out separate attacks on the settlements of Arabia and Fino along the Somali border.
Officials said the renewed violence has heightened fear among residents living in the border communities.