Two suspects arrested over Mandera food joint blast

Two suspects were arrested following a blast that ripped off a food joint in Mandera Town, leaving one person with serious injuries.

Detectives are hunting for a third suspect, a bodaboda rider who ferried the duo to the scene and fled as the explosion went off.

Police suspect the two were planting an explosive device when it accidentally detonated at the eatery in the Shafshafey area.

A multi-agency security team launched an investigation into the IED explosion, which occurred on the afternoon of Monday, April 7. The blast blew off the hotel’s rooftop and caused visible cracks in the walls.

At the time, four customers were inside. Three escaped unhurt, while one suffered a fractured left femur and pellet injuries to the abdomen. The injured victim was rushed to Mandera Referral Hospital and is currently in stable condition.

Preliminary investigations revealed that two of those who escaped were the masterminds behind the attack. They were later apprehended and are in custody as investigations continue.

The powerful explosion rocked the Delicacy Food Hotel in Mandera, causing significant damage. The area near the Kenya-Somalia border has seen frequent attacks by al-Shabaab militants.

This latest incident comes amid intensified security operations in the region to curb terror threats. It also coincided with the release of a group of chiefs abducted from Elwak on February 3, 2025, as they headed to a meeting.

The chiefs—Mohammed Adawa, Mohammed Hassan, Mohammed Noor, Assistant Chief Ibrahim Gabow, and Senior Chief Abdi Suraw—were freed on Sunday, April 6, from captivity in Jilb, Somalia. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed they are now in the hands of Kenyan authorities and will soon reunite with their families.

Elders involved in the negotiations said the chiefs were handed over to Garreh elders in Jilb, and plans were underway to return them to Elwak.

The area continues to face threats from al-Shabaab, who frequently cross over from Somalia, hampering development efforts. Dozens of security agents have been deployed to curb the attacks.