Two Police Officers Killed in Garissa Roadside Bomb Blast

Two police officers, including the Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) of Hagadera, have been killed after their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device along a major route in Garissa County.

The incident occurred at around 6am on Friday, October 9, 2026, along the Saretho–Dadaab Main Supply Route. The officers were travelling in a Land Cruiser attached to Hagadera Police Station when the explosion struck, killing the senior officer and the driver.

Blast Destroys Police Vehicle

The explosion severely damaged the Land Cruiser, highlighting the danger posed by roadside explosives along routes used by security personnel in northeastern Kenya. A response team reportedly arrived at the scene, but those suspected of planting the device had not been found.

Preliminary assessments pointed to suspected al-Shabaab militants or their local sympathisers as possible perpetrators. However, investigators were yet to establish who planted the explosive or whether the attackers had anticipated the vehicle’s movements.

Security operations were intensified in the area as officers began pursuing those responsible. The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the blast and determine whether the vehicle had been specifically targeted.

Garissa Route Faces Renewed Security Concerns

The attack adds to a series of incidents involving improvised explosive devices targeting security personnel in northeastern Kenya, particularly in areas near the Kenya–Somalia border. Such attacks have raised concerns over the safety of patrols and government operations along major supply routes.

In a previous incident on July 28, six Kenyan security officers were killed after their vehicle struck an explosive device in the El-Raamo area of Kutulo, Mandera County. The victims included five officers from the Special Operations Group and a National Police Reservist.

That blast occurred along the Alungu Main Supply Route near the border, and was followed by a gunfight between security personnel and suspected attackers. The incident demonstrated the continuing risks faced by officers operating in the region.

Security Agencies Intensify Operations

Kenyan security agencies have continued deploying personnel and surveillance equipment across northeastern counties to counter militant attacks and protect communities. The operations have also aimed to secure transport routes used by security teams and residents.

Al-Shabaab, a militant group based in Somalia and affiliated with al-Qaeda, has previously carried out attacks in Kenya. The group has targeted security personnel and civilians, particularly in areas near the border.

The latest deaths are expected to renew scrutiny of security measures along routes used by police in Garissa. Investigations into Friday’s explosion were ongoing, with authorities yet to publicly confirm responsibility for the attack.