Africa-Press – Kenya. Tragedy struck two families in Elwak, Mandera County, when an abandoned explosive devise exploded and killed two young boys.
The two, Ali Hassan and Hamza Ibrahim both aged 12, were taking care of their animals on October 29 in Irezuki area when they came across an abandoned Rocket Propelled Grenade.
Witnesses told police they rushed to hold the explosive oblivious to the dangers they were facing.
The RPG went off killing them on the spot. Police said they were called to the scene at 1 pm and collected the remains.
The bodies which were badly mutilated were handed over to the families for burial.
Police warn there could be more such explosives in the area following their discovery and blame the same on remnants of the al-Shabaab terror group operating there.
Earlier in October, a group of children escaped death after they picked up a similar RPG from a field in the Golicha area, Elwak, Mandera County.
The children were grazing their livestock when they stumbled on the explosive and picked it up and delivered the same to a local chief’s office.
Officials were shocked that the children knew the object was dangerous.
Police were later called and took the explosive for safe detonation.
Three children had earlier been injured in the same area when an abandoned explosive device exploded on them.
The children were playing in the area when one of them hit the explosive that has since been established to be a grenade.
Police say most of the explosives are abandoned by suspected terrorists from Somalia who are roaming in the area.
North Eastern police boss George Seda said they are aware some of the explosives have been abandoned there by terrorists to cause harm to locals.
“We urge all concerned parties to be careful, especially in areas near the border where these explosives could be abandoned,” he said.
He added they have deployed experts to comb the areas for the possible discovery of more of the devices. The officers will also educate locals on the objects.
The area is near the main Kenya-Somalia border which is usually breached by al-Shabaab terrorists who attack at will.
Terrorists have been targeting security installations in a series of incidents and destroying them. They at times throw explosives which don’t explode.
The border region has borne the brunt of repeated attacks from the militants who are at times aided by residents.
The terrorists at times plant explosives on the routes used by security agencies and attack them.
Somalia has not had a stable government after the fall of Siad Barre in 1991.
For More News And Analysis About Kenya Follow Africa-Press
