At least 14 people were killed and 10 others injured after suspected Al-Shabaab militia attacked a village near Mandera town in northern Kenya.

Mandera County Commissioner Alex Ole Nkoyo confirmed the attack which happened at 1am in a village called Soko Mbuzi.

According to the commissioner, the attackers struck when the villagers were sleeping.

They are said to have planted grenades on the doors but most of the people were sleeping in tents outside their houses due to the hot weather.

The attackers then hurled a petrol bomb at the tents before shooting.

Most of the victims were quarry workers. The attackers are said to have escaped to nearby bushes when police on patrol arrived at the scene.

Mr Nkoyo said police have launched a search for the attackers.

Mandera County Police Commander Mr Job Boronjo said one Improvised Explosive Device was in one of the houses and bomb experts are on the way to detonate it.

Kenya Red Cross Secretary-General Abbas Gullet said four of those injured will be airlifted to Nairobi for specialised treatment.

In December last year, Al-Shabaab militants killed 36 non-Muslim quarry workers in Mandera.

READ: 36 workers at Kenyan quarry massacred

The attack on the quarry workers also took place at night when the victims were sleeping in their tents in Koromey, about 15 kilometres from Mandera town.