On the morning of April 29, 2025, a deadly ambush occurred in Mandera East, where five quarry workers were killed and two others sustained injuries in a brutal attack by suspected al-Shabaab militants. The incident took place in Bur Abor Village and has further raised concerns over the safety of non-local workers operating in the region, which has been a hotbed of insecurity for some time.
According to law enforcement reports, the victims were among 21 miners traveling in a matatu to their worksite when the attackers struck. Witnesses described how the militants blocked the road with stones before launching the ambush. Once the vehicle was halted, the attackers ordered the workers to lie down and then shot them at close range, leaving five dead and two injured. The attackers fled the scene before security forces arrived, leaving behind 39 empty cartridges from 7.62mm special ammunition and two live rounds.
The victims, all non-locals working in the local quarries, were identified as Mbaabu Karuma, Stephen Mambo, Evas Simiyu, Bernard Masika, and George Kilobi. The two injured survivors were Joseph Nduati, who suffered a gunshot wound to his left arm and soft tissue injuries, and Peter Maina, who sustained general body pain. Thirteen other workers managed to escape into the surrounding bush, where they were later accounted for and found unharmed.
The attack highlights the ongoing risks faced by non-local workers in Mandera and the surrounding areas, where al-Shabaab militants have frequently targeted vulnerable groups. Despite the growing threats, workers often travel to their work sites without security escorts, as was the case with this particular group. It was revealed that the matatu driver and his turnboy, who were supposed to travel with a security detail, were detained for questioning to assist in the investigation.
In the aftermath of the ambush, tensions in the region have escalated, with local residents expressing deep concern over the growing insecurity. Many fear that this attack is part of a larger pattern of escalating violence by al-Shabaab, a group that has carried out several similar assaults in the past. Authorities believe the militants are operating in the region and have launched an extensive investigation to track down those responsible.
Security forces have stepped up their efforts to secure the area and prevent further attacks. Reinforcements have been deployed to pursue the attackers, but no arrests have been made as of yet. In the meantime, the bodies of the deceased victims were flown to Nairobi for preservation and further examination.
This attack also comes amid growing concerns about the wider implications of terrorism in the Horn of Africa, with reports suggesting an alliance between al-Shabaab and Yemen’s Ansar Allah (Houthi) rebels. This alliance has raised alarms about the potential for cross-border terrorism, further destabilizing the already volatile region.
The Mandera attack is a stark reminder of the persistent danger posed by militant groups like al-Shabaab, whose reach continues to extend beyond Somalia, affecting neighboring countries like Kenya. As investigations continue, the government and security agencies are under increasing pressure to provide better protection for workers in these high-risk areas and to address the larger issue of terrorism in the region.
With the authorities vowing to intensify security measures and patrols, the residents of Mandera remain on edge, wondering when, or if, the next attack will strike.
