Kenya has suffered another deadly security setback after five officers were killed when their patrol vehicle was blown up by a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) in Arabia, Mandera County.

The victims comprised four officers attached to the elite Special Operations Group (SOG) and one National Police Reservist (NPR), according to local security officials.

The officers were carrying out a routine patrol when the explosion occurred on a road frequently used by security personnel. The force of the blast tore apart the vehicle, leaving no survivors.

Following the attack, security agencies launched an operation in the area, deploying additional personnel to track down the attackers, who are believed to have escaped towards the Kenya-Somalia border.

Investigators have not yet identified those responsible, and no group had claimed the attack at the time of publication. However, Mandera has repeatedly witnessed similar incidents linked to the Al-Shabaab militant group, which has carried out cross-border attacks targeting security officers, civilians and critical infrastructure.

The latest deaths underscore the continued security challenges facing northeastern Kenya despite sustained counterterrorism operations and increased deployment of security personnel along the border.

Authorities said investigations have commenced to establish how the explosive device was planted and whether the attackers had been monitoring the patrol route before carrying out the ambush.

The incident comes as security agencies continue efforts to contain militant activity in the region, where officers have remained on heightened alert due to persistent threats from armed groups operating across the Kenya-Somalia border.