Donkey cart bombing kills 5 in northern Kenya: Official

JOHANNESBURG

An explosion on Monday in Elwak Town, Mandera County of northern Kenya near the border with Somalia, claimed the lives of five people, according to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.

"The bomb unleashed by the criminals was laden on a donkey cart to avoid detection. The crime scene has been sealed off for evacuation and investigations while various security formations are in pursuit of the attackers," Kindiki said on X.

The explosion also critically injured five other people.

Kindiki requested the public to assist law enforcement agencies with information to ensure the complete rollback against criminal elements.

Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif condemned the "terrorist" attack.

"Our collective commitment to matters of peace and security remains firm despite such cowardly attacks by terror outfits whose aim is to create fear and division," he said.

This marks the second incident this year involving a donkey cart carrying a bomb exploding in Mandera. Last month, a similar explosion resulted in the deaths of four people, including three police officers, and left several others wounded.

Attacks by suspected militants, often attributed to groups like al-Shabaab, are frequent in northern Kenya regions bordering Somalia, where insurgents infiltrate to launch attacks.