A police officer was killed and three others, including a civilian, were injured in a gun and grenade attack on a roadblock in Moyale, Marsabit County. The assault occurred on Thursday evening in the Sessi area, a few kilometers from the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
The attackers, arriving on a motorcycle, targeted the multi-agency team at the roadblock with gunfire and threw two grenades, which fortunately did not detonate. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, though police suspect the perpetrators might be smugglers or terrorists seeking to establish a presence in the area.
The Moyale-Marsabit Highway is a key route for human and drug smugglers and is also frequented by terrorists attempting to reach Isiolo and Nairobi. Roadblocks on this route have been effective in curbing various crimes, including terrorism.
Constable Collins Mutai died from injuries sustained during the attack while being treated at Moyale Sub-County Hospital. Two other police officers and a civilian woman, believed to be a county revenue clerk, were seriously injured. The injured were taken to Moyale Sub-County Hospital, where one officer succumbed to severe injuries.
Marsabit County police commander Leonard Kimaiyo reported that two undetonated grenades were recovered at the scene and later safely detonated by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel. Kimaiyo urged Moyale residents to remain calm and assist security agencies with any information that might lead to the arrest of the attackers.
Efforts are underway to airlift the injured officers to Nairobi for specialized treatment. The attackers, who indiscriminately fired at the roadblock team, left the victims with critical wounds.
In response to such incidents, the government has launched the revised Kenya Coordinated Border Management Program (KCBMP) to enhance national security. Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo highlighted Kenya’s strategic position in East Africa, stressing the importance of effective border management to boost trade, ensure national security, and promote regional integration.
Kenya has modernized its border operations through technology and improved coordination among various agencies. Initiatives like the Border Control and Operations Coordination Committee (BCOCC) and the Integrated Customs Management System (ICMS) have streamlined operations and improved efficiency in border management. The updated program focuses on collaboration, information sharing, and addressing threats such as smuggling and terrorism, while enhancing trade facilitation and revenue collection.
