15-year-old girl, 16-year-old brother killed in ordinance explosion in Garissa

NAIROBI, Kenya – A tragic explosion claimed the lives of two siblings, a 15-year-old girl and her 16-year-old brother, in Garissa County on Saturday. The incident occurred while the young pair were herding cattle in Bura East Sub-County. Reports indicate that the siblings discovered an unexploded explosive device, and it exploded after their brother struck it with a panga, leading to the unfortunate deaths of both children.

The explosion was first reported by a commanding officer of a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Forward Operating Base (FOB) camp in Bura East around 1200 hours. An investigation was launched, and a team discovered the injured siblings, who were subsequently evacuated to the FOB camp for immediate medical attention. Tragically, both children succumbed to their injuries shortly after arrival.

The deceased girl has been identified as Malyun Ahmed Diriye, and her brother as Abdi Ahmed Burale. According to the girl's account, they had discovered a strange object while herding cattle. Curiosity compelled the brother to strike the object, which led to the explosion. While the exact type of explosive device remains undetermined, authorities suspect it could have been a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) that was either abandoned or used in a previous militant attack targeting the military camp.

The tragic incident underscores the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance in areas subject to security operations, particularly in regions where civilians engage in routine activities like herding livestock. Authorities have not yet provided additional details about the recovery or disposal of the explosive device. The loss of these two siblings has also sparked concerns about the risks faced by civilians residing in security-sensitive areas of northern Kenya.