•The IED could have caused damage and deaths had it exploded before being spotted.
•Police said the al Shabaab terrorists who set up the explosive were targeting government vehicles using the route.
Image: HANDOUT
Security agencies operating at the Kenya-Somali border, Monday escaped an attack after stumbling on an explosive device set on the roadside to target their movements.
The improvised explosive device was ready to explode when they spotted it in Gherille, Madera.
They however detonated it on time.
The IED could have caused damage and deaths had it exploded before being spotted.
Police said the al Shabaab terrorists who set up the explosive were targeting government vehicles using the route.
It is the same place where Kenya has lost dozens of security agents in similar attacks.
Officials said the terrorists are exploiting the low-cost strategy and deploying it near forwarding operating bases or main supply routes to attack their targets.
This is happening especially in the Northern part of the country and Somalia.
The terrorists say they are conducting the attacks to put pressure on Kenyan troops in Somalia to leave.
However, security officials have heightened security ahead of an event-packed April.
Police spokesperson Bruno Shioso says the month will be marked with several activities, key among them the Easter, Ramadhan festivities, the Africa Rally Championship in Naivasha and political rallies.
Shioso said the events might allow criminals to carry out illegal activities hence the heightened security.
Special arrangements have been made to secure major urban areas including all critical infrastructure and places of interest.
The security agencies have enhanced their surveillance and intelligence capabilities against suspicious individuals and organised gangs.
Kenya Defence Forces troops are among those under Amisom that are operating in Somalia.
They aim to suppress al Shabaab activities in the region.
KDF went to Somalia in October 2011.
Kenya's incursion into Southern Somalia started after the kidnapping of two Spanish women, who were working for MSF at the Dadaab refugee camp
The abductions were carried out by the militants who the troops planned to push away under Operation Linda Nchi.
Two years later, the troops managed to take control of Kismayo port under Operation Sledge Hammer.
The government saw the attacks as a threat to the country’s sovereignty as it targeted tourism, which is an economic lifeline.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris