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Shock as six-month-old baby murdered in Mandera clan revenge killings
A six-month-old baby is among six people killed by suspected clan militias in Banisa Sub County in Mandera County.
What you need to know:
- Dadaab Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Naftali Koojo said the officers who were in a police vehicle were heading to the Dadaab refugee camp from Hagardera for a security escort mission.
- "The incident happened at about 6am. The front part of the vehicle was damaged, but our officers survived. We are combing the area," Mr Koojo said.
A six-month-old baby is among six people killed by suspected clan militias in Banisa Sub County in Mandera County.
Four other people who were injured are being treated at Mandera County and Referral Hospital.
Those dead have since been confirmed as Aisha Haji Issack, 6 months, Imran Haji Issack 3 years, Abdifatah Haji Issack, 4 years, Khiera Mohamed Muhumed 8 years, Kheira Muhumed Abdirahman 38 years and Halima Abdu Guhad 42 years.
Among the injured are Issack Haji Hassan, Suheyba Haji Hassan, 9 years, Fardowsa Haji Hassan, 14 years and Alasey Adow Khamis, 35 years.
The militia from one of the two clans that reside in the area are reported to have descended on Murutho village, targeting a family of the area Member of County Assembly (MCA) Abdullahi Maalim Hassan.
“It is unfortunate that I lost members of my family. I call on security agencies to take action,” Mr Hassan said by phone.
While confirming the incident, Mandera County Commissioner Henry Ochako said the incident happened at about 1am on May 8, 2025.
“We had an attack by suspected clan militias at Mutrutho village in Banisa Sub County. We lost six people in the early morning attack. The area is close to our border with Ethiopia," Mr Ochako said in a phone interview.
According to Mr Ochako, it remains unclear what may have led to the attack that left children killed.
“The area has been enjoying relative calm for some time. Our officers are on the ground, and we will determine the motive behind the senseless killings,” he said.
A security source in Mandera linked the incident to another that happened in Ethiopia last year.
“There was an incident in Ethiopia where eight members of a certain clan were killed, and that could have led to what we are witnessing today,” our source said.
Mr Ochako, also Mandera County Security and Intelligence Committee Chairman, linked the attack to a revenge mission.
The area is inhabited by the Garre and Degodia clans that are found across into Ethiopia, and which have been engaging in feuds leading to deaths and bloodshed on either side of the border.
They engage in counterattacks over grazing fields, water, and political representation in the area.
Meanwhile, three police officers narrowly escaped death on Thursday, May 8, after a vehicle they were travelling in was hit by an explosive in the Dadaad area, Garissa County.
Dadaab Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Naftali Koojo said the officers who were in a police vehicle were heading to the Dadaab refugee camp from Hagardera for a security escort mission.
"The incident happened at about 6am. The front part of the vehicle was damaged, but our officers survived. We are combing the area," Mr Koojo said.
A report by police indicated that the incident happened along the Hagardera -Dadaab Road.
