Five Kenyan security officers were killed during a clash with suspected al-Shabaab militants in Mandera County near the border with Somalia, police said.
The confrontation took place around midday on Tuesday in the Wantey Dam area after a patrol unit from the Special Operations Group’s Alungu base encountered the militants.
“A patrol team from SOG Alungu came into contact with al-Shabaab militants in the general area of Wantey Dam,” police said in an incident report.
A reinforcement team sent to the area was later struck by an improvised explosive device, which destroyed an armoured vehicle. No additional casualties were reported in the blast.
Police said security forces had launched an operation to pursue the attackers.
Al-Shabaab has fought for years to overthrow Somalia’s internationally recognised government and impose its strict interpretation of Islamic law.
The group regularly carries out attacks in Kenya’s northeastern border counties, targeting security personnel, government officials and civilians.
In January, Kenyan police said suspected al-Shabaab militants killed a local chief and a teacher in neighbouring Garissa County.