This archive report was first published on 16 July 2019.
On a fateful Monday, a Kenya Power driver narrowly escaped death when an improvised explosive device (IED) hit his vehicle on the newly tarmacked Mandera-Rhamu-Elwak road.
The driver, who was alone, was driving towards Takaba from Mandera town when the incident occurred.
According to Lafey Deputy County Commissioner Eric Oronyi, the driver escaped without injuries, but the vehicle – a Toyota Landcruiser – was slightly damaged.
Oronyi confirmed that the driver reported seeing a suspicious heap of soil on the road, which he swerved, causing the IED to explode.
Despite the tire burst, the driver did not stop until he reached the nearest police post, fearing for the worst.
Security agencies were deployed to the area to address the increasing cases of IEDs being planted on the road.
Oronyi assured road users that the situation was under control and urged them to continue with their businesses.
A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that the explosives were planted to target police vehicles escorting buses.
Oronyi, however, stated that the motive behind the incident was unclear, but in most cases, officers were the targets of roadside explosives.
