A police officer was killed and three others injured in a gun and grenade attack at a roadblock in Moyale, Marsabit County, near the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
The attackers, possibly smugglers or terrorists, fired at a multi-agency team, aiming to gain entry.
The Moyale-Marsabit Highway is one of the main routes used by human and drug smugglers.
The route, according to police is also a haven for terrorists trying to reach Isiolo and Nairobi.
The roadblocks mounted on the route have helped tame many crimes including terrorism.
Constable Collins Mutai succumbed to the injuries while receiving treatment at Moyale Subcounty Hospital following the attack.
Marsabit County police commander Leonard Kimaiyo said two police officers were seriously injured in the attack.
He added a civilian woman believed to be a revenue clerk with the county government, was also critically wounded in the attack, which was carried out by suspects armed with grenades and assault rifles
The injured were rushed to Moyale Sub-County Hospital, where one officer succumbed to severe upper limb injuries while undergoing treatment.
Kimaiyo added that two undetonated grenades were recovered at the scene and later detonated by personnel from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) who also responded to the incident.
He urged the residents of Moyale town to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could aid in the arrest of the culprits.
“We are making efforts to establish the motive but we suspect this could be linked to among others smuggling,” he said.
Arrangements were being made to airlift the injured officers, who suffered multiple injuries, to Nairobi for specialised treatment.
The attackers, who fired indiscriminately at the multi-agency team manning the border point, left the victims with critical wounds.
The area is among those being taken seriously in terms of security operations.
The government has launched the revised Kenya Coordinated Border Management Program (KCBMP), which will further strengthen national security.
Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo said Kenya’s strategic location in East Africa has long underscored the importance of effective border management in enhancing trade, ensuring national security, and promoting regional integration.
Omollo said Kenya has modernized border operations, embraced technology, and fostered collaboration among various border agencies.
