Tuesday July 15, 2025
Wreckage of the vehicle destroyed by a roadside bomb along the Ijara–Bodhai road in Garissa County, northeastern Kenya, on July 13, 2025. Two civilians were killed in the explosion. (Photo: Handout)
GARISSA, Kenya (HOL) — Two civilians were killed and several others injured Sunday night after their vehicle hit a roadside bomb along the Ijara–Bodhai road in Kenya’s Garissa County, officials said.
The victims, identified as Mohamed Shabeel Bashir and Abdiqadir Mahamud Salad, were travelling in a Toyota Probox toward Bodhai town when the explosion occurred. The blast is suspected to have been caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by al-Shabaab militants targeting security patrols in the region.
Bodhai Deputy County Commissioner Dubat Mohamed confirmed the incident and said the explosion appeared aimed at security forces who frequently use the road.
“This is an unfortunate incident. We suspect they were targeting security personnel who frequently use this route for surveillance,” Dubat said. “Our teams are investigating, and we urge residents to share any information that could help bring those responsible to justice.”
Ijara Member of Parliament Abdi Ali Abdi condemned the attack as a “senseless act of violence” and called on national and regional security agencies to act swiftly.
The victims were the only occupants of the vehicle, which was destroyed in the blast. Their bodies were recovered and buried on Monday, according to local officials.
Authorities have deployed a joint force of the General Service Unit (GSU) and Special Operations Group (SOG) to track the perpetrators. Security has been heightened across the Ijara–Bodhai corridor.
The attack comes days after seven police officers were injured on July 8 in a similar IED blast in Mandera County. That attack also involved a security convoy travelling near the Somalia-Kenya border, which has been plagued by cross-border militant activity.