Hagadera police chief, driver killed in suspected IED attack in Garissa

NAIROBI, Kenya – An improvised explosive device (IED) detonated along the Saretho–Dadaab road in Garissa County on Friday morning, resulting in the fatal deaths of the Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) in Hagadera and his driver. The incident occurred at approximately 6:00 AM when their Toyota Land Cruiser rammed the explosive device while traversing the main supply route.

Preliminary reports indicate that the vehicle sustained significant damage from the blast. Security concerns have escalated along the Dadaab–Saretho corridor, where police and other vehicles operating in the border region are increasingly vulnerable to roadside explosives. The attack is currently suspected to be carried out by Al-Shabaab, although no official claim of responsibility has been issued as of the publication time.

Following the explosion, security personnel secured the scene and initiated a follow-up operation to gather further information. Authorities are still working to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding the attack and to determine if any other individuals were impacted. The Saretho–Dadaab and Garissa–Dadaab routes are critical for security operations and the transportation of supplies in the region, which shares a border with Somalia and has frequently experienced security challenges. As of now, the police have not released a comprehensive public statement on the incident.