Three passer-by were injured in the 11am shooting.

According to Mandera County Commissioner Mr Fredrick Shisia, the two were in a Toyota Probox and were stopped by KDF personnel who he claimed had detected an explosive in the vehicle.

The military personnel shot at the vehicle killing the two occupants.

“The vehicle had an explosive detected by the military and we are investigating where they were heading to,” Mr Shisia said.

He said it was unfortunate that passers-by were injured in the shooting and added that the area is prone to attacks and the KDF could not “take chances”.

The killing sparked protests in the town with locals saying the two were well known in the area.

Speaking to the Nation on phone, Mandera Governor Ali Roba said the two were “ordinary passengers” and that there was no evidence of an explosive in the vehicle.

“The military claims there was an explosive device in the vehicle but the public denies this. I also went to the scene and from the ordinary look at the vehicle there was no explosive. The matter should be investigated,” he said.