In the heart of Mandera, tension and fear gripped the town as police continued their relentless search for a terrorist suspect who launched a brutal attack on Heritage Hotel, leaving many wounded.

Thursday midday on July 24 when the tranquility of the town was shattered by a thunderous explosion.

Witnesses recounted the chilling moment a man, dressed in a jungle top shirt and carrying a small bag, placed an improvised explosive device (IED) next to the hotel wall.

“Immediately after the explosion, officers rushed to the scene and confirmed that the suspected IED had been strategically placed against the wall outside the hotel by a lone suspect,” a police incident report stated.

A witness, who saw the suspect before the explosion, described how the man nonchalantly placed the bag and then walked away.

“He moved with an eerie calmness,” the witness said, still shaken by the memory.

Tragedy struck moments later. One of the injured, had spotted the suspicious bag and alerted others, including a police officer who was inside the hotel. Just as they began to communicate the danger, the explosive detonated.

The aftermath was devastating. Among the injured were Police Constable Halima Hassa Maalim, who suffered a broken leg, Joseph Chege with a fractured left leg, and Febi Atieno, who sustained injuries to both legs. Bright Makoha and Shukri Haji also bore the brunt of the explosion.

The attack on Heritage Hotel has left scars on Mandera, but it has also ignited a fierce determination among its people and the authorities to ensure that such terror will not prevail. The hunt continues, and the spirit of Mandera remains unbroken.