Kenya Police Thwart Al-Shabaab Night Attack on Chinese Construction Camp

MANDERA, Kenya — Kenyan police on Tuesday morning thwarted a night raid by al-Shabaab militants on a Chinese workers’ residence in Elwak, Mandera County, officials said.

All 10 Chinese nationals at the compound were secured, though vehicles and property were damaged during the attack, which began around 1 a.m. when heavily armed attackers forced their way into the residence roughly one kilometre from Elwak Police Station. A prolonged exchange of gunfire ensued with officers guarding the site.

“The officers on duty gallantly held their ground and successfully repulsed the attack,” police said in a statement, adding that the assailants later fled.

Authorities said the militants demolished the main gate and damaged the perimeter barrier. The attackers, armed with both crude and sophisticated weapons, were believed to have arrived in four Toyota Probox vehicles from Buraache via border cutline routes near the Kenya–Somalia border.

“They positioned themselves opposite the main gate before opening fire,” police said. Officers from the Border Patrol Unit (BPU) based in Elwak were deployed to reinforce local teams, helping to secure the Chinese nationals, who are involved in road construction projects and live under armed police protection.

Vehicles belonging to the construction company, including a police vehicle, five Toyota Hilux double-cabs, a grader, and a water bowser, were damaged during the assault.

The Mandera incident came as bomb disposal experts in Migori County defused a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) found under a bridge in Nyatike on Tuesday. The device, connected to a live wire, was safely disabled, and seven pieces of gel explosives were recovered. Multi-agency security teams had cordoned off the area for several hours during the operation.

No injuries were reported in either incident. Police said investigations were ongoing to determine the motive behind the Mandera attack and the placement of the explosive device in Migori.

GAROWE ONLINE