Fresh Al-Shabaab attacks hit Northern Kenya as govt suspends ID vetting
Northern Kenya, particularly areas bordering the porous Kenya–Somalia frontier, is witnessing a renewed wave of terror attacks targeting security officers and non-local residents amid growing security concerns.
The latest incident occurred yesterday morning, March 13, 2026 when a police vehicle was struck by a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) along the Elwak–Wargadud Road in Mandera County.
Six officers were injured in the attack, which police believe was carried out by militants linked to Al‑Shabaab.
Among those injured was officer Ali Noor Issack Sheikh, who sustained an injury to his right hand and complained of back pain.
Authorities said the officers were part of a 15-member security team travelling in a police Land Cruiser during the attack. The remaining members of the team were accounted for and reported to be in stable condition.
Security teams later responded to the scene to secure the area and assess the damage.
Officers from the Kenya Defence Forces joined police in launching operations to pursue the suspected attackers who fled after the ambush.
The incident comes at a time when the northern region is experiencing increased militant activity along the border with Somalia, raising fresh security concerns.
Local leaders, residents and security experts have also criticised a recent decision by the government of William Ruto to suspend the long-standing mandatory vetting process for national identity cards in northern Kenya.
The vetting system had historically been used to scrutinise applicants before the issuance of Kenyan IDs.
Critics warn that removing the vetting requirement could open loopholes for militants from Somalia to infiltrate the country and obtain Kenyan identification documents.
The Mandera attack follows several recent incidents in the region where suspected Al-Shabaab militants have targeted security personnel using roadside bombs and ambush tactics, particularly along routes frequently used by security patrols.
