In late January, seven passengers on a bus in Kenya were killed by an explosion during a random act of terrorism. BBC states, “Attackers ambushed a minibus, locally known as a matatu, after the blast and opened fire on its occupants near Mandera town, a police statement said.” While the attackers were leaving, the injured were being taken to the hospital. 

An Islamic militant group by the name Al-Shabab, is based over the border of Kenya in Somalia. This makes the area of Mandera one of the most dangerous parts of the country due to the proximity of the group.While no group has claimed ownership over the attack, it is assumed by many it was Al-Shabab due to their many attacks on Kenya in past years.

Al-Shabab is translated to the youth in Arabic. The group had control of Mogadishu in 2006 before Ethiopian forces regained control. Foreign jihadists from neighboring countries, including people from Europe and America, have traveled to Somalia to help the group. Another articulate from BBC states, “It is banned as a terrorist group by both the US and the UK and is believed to have between 7,000 and 9,000 fighters.”

Al-Shabab has been known for stoning women who have been accused of adultery to death and cutting off thieves’ hands.

They are known to have been linked to Boko Haram and al-Qaeda, both terrorist organizations.

While no group has claimed ownership over the attack, it is assumed by many it was Al-Shabab due to their many attacks on Kenya in past years.