Kenyan security forces successfully repelled an overnight assault by al-Shabaab militants on a compound housing Chinese road construction workers in the northeastern town of Elwak, ensuring the safety of all 10 foreign nationals inside.
The attack began around 1am on Tuesday when heavily armed fighters breached the compound’s gate and perimeter fence near Elwak police station in Mandera county. A prolonged gunbattle ensued, with militants damaging vehicles, including a police car, several construction trucks, a grader and a water bowser, before fleeing after reinforcements arrived.
Police said the assailants, equipped with both crude and sophisticated weapons, likely crossed from Somalia via informal routes near Buraache, arriving in four Toyota Probox vehicles. Border Patrol Unit officers were quickly deployed, bolstering guards and securing the site without any reported injuries.
The incident underscores the enduring threat from al-Shabaab in Kenya’s porous border regions. The Somalia-based group has intensified cross-border incursions since Kenya joined the African Union mission in 2011, aiming to force a troop withdrawal through ambushes, bombings and raids.
Counties such as Mandera, Garissa and Wajir bear the brunt, with militants exploiting remote terrain and limited infrastructure. Roadside improvised explosive devices remain a favoured tactic, claiming numerous security personnel lives over the years.
Chinese firms, prominent in Kenya’s infrastructure projects, have occasionally been targeted, highlighting risks to foreign investments in volatile areas. Authorities continue enhanced patrols and surveillance, though the group’s resilience persists amid ongoing regional counter-terrorism efforts.
(Word count: 308) 1 “Elwak town in Mandera County, near the Kenya-Somalia border, where the attack took place” “LARGE” 5 ”” “LARGE” 3 ”” “LARGE”
