6 Family Members Killed After Gunmen Attack Matatu in Mandera

At least six people have died after unknown gunmen attacked a 14-seater matatu in Mandera County on Saturday, May 9.

The incident happened in the Beer Awayon area on the road leading to Arabia village in Lafey Constituency.

According to reports, the passengers were members of the same family travelling from Mandera town to attend a Quran recitation gathering when the attackers ambushed their vehicle and started shooting.

Several other passengers were injured during the attack and were rushed to the hospital for treatment as local security teams responded to the scene.

Lafey Member of Parliament Mohamed Abdikheir confirmed the incident and sent his condolences to the affected families.

The MP strongly condemned the attack and called on security agencies to move quickly and arrest those behind the killings.

He said the country should not allow such acts of violence to continue, adding that the government must improve security in the area to prevent more attacks.

Mandera County Police Commander Robinson Ndiwa also confirmed that four people are still missing after the attack.

Reports indicate that the matatu was ambushed a few kilometres from Arabia town in what authorities believe could have been a planned attack.

By the time of publishing, no group had claimed responsibility for the incident.

Photos and videos from the scene showed the matatu badly damaged with several bullet holes. Blood stains were also visible inside the vehicle.

Many residents gathered at Arabia Sub-County Hospital where the injured passengers are receiving treatment.

The incident comes at a time when security has also been tightened in Nairobi ahead of the upcoming Africa-France Summit expected to bring together more than 30 Heads of State.

The government has already announced road closures around City Hall, Harambee Avenue and Parliament Road during the summit period as police increase patrols in the capital.