4 killed, 3 injured in northern Kenya gun attack

Four people were killed and three others seriously injured on Tuesday night in Wajir town, northern Kenya by unknown gunmen.

Wajir County police commander Samuel Mukinda confirmed on Wednesday that three masked assailants opened fire at a mobile money transfer service shop in Barwakho area, 3 km from Wajir town, at around 8:00 p.m. (1700 GMT), killing the four on the spot.

"The four individuals were completely burnt beyond recognition. Three others who sustained serious gunshot wounds were rushed to Wajir county referral hospital where they are receiving treatment," Mukinda said, adding security has been beefed up in the county to thwart further attacks.

The security official said the assailants later proceeded to hurl a hand grenade in the shop, and as a result, burnt the four beyond recognition.

"We have also launched investigations to establish the motive behind the attack which is the first (in Wajir) this year. No arrest has been made but we are pursuing the attackers," said the police commander, noting that they will have to carry out DNA tests on the four bodies to establish their identities.

The attack comes just two days after one person was killed in neighboring Mandera town and three others seriously injured when suspected Al-Shabaab militants raided a shop in the county.

Last week, Mandera governor escaped death by a whisker Al-shabaab militants attacked his convoy, killing four people, including two police officers.

Northern Kenya has borne the brunt of Al-Shabaab since 2011, when Kenya sent troops to Somalia to fight against the militant group. Endi