Kenya: Roadside bomb blast in Garrisa County kills at least four people, Feb. 10

Event

At least four people were killed and another injured when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb between the Bura East and Galmagala areas in Garissa County Feb. 10. The vehicle was en route to Hulugho from Masalani at the time of the incident. Militant group Al-Shabaab is suspected of being behind the attack.

Heightened security and localized transport disruptions are likely in the impacted area.

Context

Al-Shabaab, along with some radicalized local sympathizers, operate in Kenya and carry out mainly opportunistic attacks. The threat is highest along the Kenya-Somalia border in Lamu, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera counties. Al-Shabaab typically targets private citizens, law enforcement personnel, and transport vehicles. Common tactics employed in such attacks include suicide operations, armed assaults, bomb/grenade attacks, kidnappings, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in and near Kenyan ports.

Advice

Avoid the scene of the incident until authorities have secured the area and given the all-clear. Heed the instructions of local security personnel. Maintain contact with your diplomatic mission.