Eight Killed in Kenya Road Ambush

Eight people, including five construction engineers and two Kenya Police Reservists, have been killed after armed attackers ambushed a security vehicle escorting workers along the Mandera–Arabia–Lafey road project in northeastern Kenya.

The attack occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, at Koromey, near Hagarsu in Mandera County, when heavily armed assailants reportedly blocked the road and opened fire on the vehicle accompanying construction personnel.

According to preliminary police reports, seven people died at the scene, while the driver of the security vehicle sustained critical gunshot injuries. He later died while being transported to Mandera County Teaching and Referral Hospital, bringing the death toll to eight.

The victims included five engineers working on the road construction project, two Kenya Police Reservists assigned to protect the workers and the driver of the security vehicle.

Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif condemned the killings, describing the attack as a devastating loss to the victims’ families, colleagues and the wider community. The governor said it was particularly painful that people contributing to infrastructure development in the county had lost their lives in the attack.

He called on security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure those responsible are brought to justice, insisting that Mandera residents deserve an environment where development projects can proceed without fear or intimidation.
Following the attack, Kenyan security authorities deployed additional personnel to the area and launched a manhunt for the assailants.

No group had claimed responsibility at the time of reporting, although the incident occurred near the Kenya–Somalia border, where Al-Shabaab militants have previously carried out attacks targeting civilians, security personnel and infrastructure projects.

The ambush followed separate attacks on security installations in neighbouring Garissa County on November 7, when suspected militants targeted Hulugho Police Station and the Gesreb Special Operations Group camp. Security personnel repelled both attacks, with no casualties reported.

In another incident in Mandera County, security forces at the Damasa Forward Operating Base reportedly prevented an attempted assault by six suspected militants detected approaching the facility.

The Mandera–Arabia–Lafey road project is considered an important infrastructure development intended to improve transport connections and access to essential services in the border region.

However, the latest killings have drawn further attention to the security risks confronting construction workers and officers protecting development projects in northeastern Kenya.