Three escape unhurt in Mandera Town roadside blast

Mandera, Kenya: Three people survived an explosion after a roadside IED hit their vehicle in Mandera Town.

The four were driving through the town on Thursday at about 10am when the device went off. Police and witnesses said the vehicle was damaged.

“No injury was reported on the occupants but the vehicle was damaged. We do not know who was behind the blast,” said a police officer in the area.

The officer added the blast was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device that had been planted by the road.

This is the latest incident in the area in a series that have killed dozens and injured others.

On October 15, Mandera Governor Ali Roba survived a similar explosion that was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device after his convoy was hit as he was being driven to office.

Police at the scene said the IED had been planted by the road and was timed to hit the convoy at Rhamu bus stop.

Two days later, police detonated an explosive that was found near the scene of the blast.

Roba said then he feared for his life following the attack, he said he survived the blast by a whisker as he challenged police to get those behind it.

“This trend is worrying because it has now moved to us. It started from police stations, offices and now it is on the roads,” he said.

He seemed to blame police for doing little to address the menace as he revealed 12 such attacks that remain unsolved.

“Police promises have remained as such. Nothing has happened yet these attacks are happening within us.”

He cited the attacks that took place in his office, local offices, police stations, Kenya Power and Lighting station and a solar station that he argued remain unsolved.

The governor termed the attacks as acts of terrorism and urged the national police to ensure they arrest those behind them for the sake of peace and stability.

There has been no arrest over the attacks.

The situation in the county has been complicated by the ongoing clashes between Garreh and Degodia clans in the area. More than 50 people have been killed and several displaced in the clashes and so far efforts are ongoing to contain the situation.