A driver working for Kenya Power escaped death by a whisker after an improvised explosive device (IED) hit the vehicle he was driving in Mandera.
The man was alone and driving towards Takaba from Mandera town along the newly tarmacked Rhamu-Elwak road on Monday.
Confirming the incident, Lafey Deputy County Commissioner Eric Oronyi said the driver escaped without injuries and the vehicle – a Toyota Landcruiser – was slightly damaged.
“The driver reported that while driving along the highway between Chabi and Bamboo villages, he saw a suspicious heap of soil on the road and as he swerved it exploded,” said Oronyi.
“The driver did not stop despite the tire burst until he reached the nearest police post because he feared for the worst.”
Mr Oronyi said security agencies were deployed to the area to address the increasing cases of planting of IEDs on the newly tarmacked Mandera-Rhamu-Elwak road.
“We are increasing our security patrols to flush out the usual suspects. I urge road users to continue with their businesses because the situation is under control,” he said.
A resident who declined to be identified was quoted by Daily Nation saying the explosives are planted to target police vehicles escorting buses.
“The KPLC vehicle was unlucky because no other vehicle, especially the police, had used the road. Suspects are targeting any government-owned vehicle,” he said.
“I cannot tell exactly the motive behind the morning incident but in most cases our officers are the targets of roadside explosives,” said Mr Oronyi.
