Kenya: Heightened security like in Bodhei, Garissa County, after an armed attack kills one and injured two others Jan. 17

Event

Authorities will likely maintain a heightened security posture in Bodhei, Garissa County, over the coming days after armed men killed one person and injured two others on Jan. 17. Officials report that the attackers assaulted a convoy of Chinese and local Lappset construction workers along Lamu-Garissa road using Rocket-propelled grenade launchers (RPG). While no group immediately claimed responsibility for the assault, Al-Shabaab militants are likely to have carried out the attack.

Heightened security and disruptions to transport and business are likely in the area over the coming days.

Context

Al-Shabaab operates in Kenya and periodically carries out attacks in the country. The threat of militant violence is highest along the Kenya-Somalia border in Lamu, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera counties. The group typically targets private citizens, law enforcement personnel, and transport vehicles. Common tactics employed by Al-Shabaab militants include suicide operations, armed assaults, bomb/grenade attacks, kidnappings, assaults on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in and near Kenyan ports.

Advice

Avoid the area of the attack and heed the instructions of local authorities. Maintain contact with your diplomatic mission.