Police at Kenya’s Isebania border crossing have intercepted a vehicle carrying what authorities described as hazardous chemicals and commercial explosives, in an operation that has raised fresh concerns over border security.

Officers based at Isebania Police Station in Kuria West Sub-County stopped a white Toyota Probox on Friday after suspecting it had entered Kenya through the porous Nyang’iti border point from neighbouring Tanzania.

According to a police report, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot when signalled to stop. A manhunt is under way.

Inside the car, officers found 12 drums of sodium cyanide, each weighing 50 kilograms. They also recovered two cartons of explosives identified as V6 Explogel, concealed in brown packaging.

“We remain vigilant in safeguarding our borders and protecting the public from dangerous and illegal consignments,” the police report said.

A dangerous cargo

Sodium cyanide is widely used in gold mining to extract precious metals from ore. It is highly toxic and tightly regulated because even small amounts can be lethal if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin.

Explogel, meanwhile, is a commercial explosive commonly used in quarrying and construction. Its movement is subject to strict licensing and monitoring.

Police have not said where the consignment originated or where it was headed. Investigations are ongoing to establish whether the chemicals were intended for legitimate industrial use or illicit activity.

Heightened alert

The seizure comes at a time of heightened security operations across the country.

Earlier this week, anti-terror police announced they had disrupted what they described as a planned attack in Nairobi. Officers said they arrested 13 men in Kajiado County after tracking their movements and communications.

During that operation, police recovered five AK-47 rifles, a Makarov pistol with ammunition, 20 magazines loaded with hundreds of rounds, and six hand grenades. Authorities said investigations were continuing and did not provide further details on the suspects’ identities.

Security analysts have long warned that Kenya’s porous borders present challenges, particularly in areas where informal crossing points are common.

Local residents in border communities often depend on cross-border trade for their livelihoods. While most movement is legal, officials say criminal networks can exploit weak enforcement.

For now, the abandoned Probox sits as evidence of a shipment that could have posed serious risks. Whether it was part of a larger network remains to be seen.

Police say they are determined to track down the driver and uncover the full story behind the consignment.