At least 10 officers killed after vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in in Wajir County near Somali border.

Kenyan officials say at least 10 police officers are dead after their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device near the Somali border.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to share the information, said those killed Saturday in Wajir County were among 13 officers who were pursuing fighters who had kidnapped police reservists.

The Somalia-based al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack.

The armed group often targets Kenyan security forces, vowing retribution after Kenya deployed troops to Somalia in 2011 to combat the fighters.

Police on Friday said an unknown number of gunmen stormed Konton centre in Wajir East and kidnapped three reservists.

The patrol hit in Saturday’s explosion was deployed in response to the incidents in Konton.

In June last year, eight Kenyan police were killed in a roadside bomb attack in the same region.