Man Loses Arm After Suspected IED Explodes in His Hands in Mandera
A 35-year-old man has lost an arm after a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) detonated in his hands in Mandera Town, triggering a major security response amid growing concerns over attacks in Kenya’s north-eastern region.
The explosion occurred at around 6:30pm on Friday in the Bula Buruburu area, near Holland Sports Ground, according to preliminary police reports and witnesses.
Police suspect the man was carrying the explosive device when it detonated.
The blast left him with serious injuries, including the loss of an arm. He was rushed to Mandera Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he was receiving medical treatment.
The explosion immediately prompted a security operation, with officers from the Kenya Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), General Service Unit (GSU) and National Police Reservists responding to the scene.
The Counter-Terrorism Bureau in Mandera has taken over investigations as authorities attempt to establish the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
Investigators are expected to examine how the suspected device was obtained, who may have assembled it and why the man was allegedly carrying it.
Police recovered a mobile phone and a piece of metal believed to be linked to the suspected explosive device. The items were taken for forensic examination as investigators worked to reconstruct the events leading up to the blast.
No individual or organisation had been publicly identified as being responsible for Friday’s incident by Friday night.
However, the explosion has renewed concerns over a possible connection to Al-Shabaab, the militant group that has previously been blamed for attacks and improvised explosive device incidents in Kenya’s north-eastern counties.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed that Al-Shabaab was behind Friday’s blast.
Second suspected IED incident in less than 24 hours
The Mandera explosion came less than 24 hours after another suspected IED attack in the county left six people injured.
The earlier incident occurred at around 6pm on Thursday near Odole Village in Elwak Sub-County, according to reports.
The victims were travelling in a Toyota Land Cruiser along the Mandera-Elwak road when the vehicle reportedly struck a roadside explosive.
All six victims were taken to Elwak Sub-County Referral Hospital, with one reported to be in critical condition on Friday morning.
That incident was also suspected of being linked to Al-Shabaab, although investigations were ongoing.
The back-to-back explosions have heightened anxiety among residents in Mandera, an area that has faced persistent security challenges because of its proximity to the Kenya-Somalia border.
Security reports indicate that at least 25 cross-border security incidents have been recorded this year across Mandera, Garissa, Wajir and Lamu, highlighting the continuing threat posed by militant activity and cross-border attacks.
The latest incidents are likely to increase pressure on security agencies to strengthen surveillance and patrols along roads and other vulnerable areas in the region.
For residents, Friday’s explosion has added to growing fears that roadside explosives remain a serious threat, particularly in areas close to the Kenya-Somalia border.
Investigations into both incidents are continuing, with authorities expected to establish whether the two explosions were connected and whether a wider militant network was involved.
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