The matatu was travelling towards Mandera, a town in the border area, which has been regularly targeted by militant attacks.

Pictures from local journalists show mangled wreckage of the minivan that appears to have been blown up after running over an improvised explosive device on the road.

No one has taken responsibility for the attack, but al-Shabab insurgents have attacked police and civilians in and around Mandera with several fatalities in recent years.

The attack comes barely a week after several foreign embassies in Kenya, including the US and France, warned its citizens of possible terror attacks in the country.

Kenyan police then released a statement reassuring the public of their safety.