Mandera County leaders have strongly condemned the deadly ambush on a passenger vehicle in the Beer-Awayon area of Lafey Constituency that left six people dead and several others injured.
The vehicle, which departed Mandera Town on Saturday morning heading to Arabia, was attacked by armed gunmen around midday in the Hareri Hosle area of Arabia Sub-County.
Security agencies have since launched operations in the area as investigations into the incident continue.
Emergency responders and a rescue team from Arabia were deployed to the scene, with the injured rushed to Arabia Sub-County Hospital for urgent medical attention.
Lafey MP Mohamed Abdikheir expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, saying: “It is with profound sadness that I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the six innocent travellers who were brutally killed by unknown gunmen.”
He described the victims as innocent civilians whose lives were tragically cut short and called for solidarity with the bereaved families.
Lafey Member of Parliament Mohamed Abdikheir has condemned the killing of six passengers including an expectant mother after an attack on a vehicle in Beer-Awayon village, Arabia town, #Mandera County on Saturday.
He urged the government to swiftly track down and bring… pic.twitter.com/1eLhjfytf7
— Frontier Online (@FrontierOnlineK) May 9, 2026
Mandera Senator Ali Ibrahim Roba also condemned the attack, stating: “I strongly condemn the horrific attack on a passenger vehicle between Ledhi and Arabia, which has tragically claimed the lives of innocent civilians and left several others injured.”
He urged security agencies to move swiftly and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif denounced the incident, saying: “I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, today’s heinous attack on a passenger vehicle between Ledhi and Arabia, which resulted in the tragic loss of six innocent lives.”
He assured residents that the county government stands with the affected families and remains committed to restoring peace and supporting security operations.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims as investigations continue.
County Police Commander Robinson Ndiwa confirmed that six people were killed and three others injured after a bus travelling from Mandera to Arabia was attacked at Omar Jilacow.
He added that armed assailants emerged and opened fire on the vehicle before fleeing the scene.
He further stated that a multi-agency security team comprising the Kenya Defence Forces, the General Service Unit, and the National Police Reservists has been deployed to the area to track down the attackers and restore security.
