NAIROBI, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday mourned the death of nine soldiers who were killed after the vehicle they were traveling in was hit by improvised explosive device (IED) near the Somalia-Kenya border on Sunday.

Kenyatta said the deceased who were part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) gave their lives for their country and vowed never to relent until al-Shabab terrorists are flushed out of Somalia.

"Earlier today, I was appalled and saddened to learn that we had lost nine young patriots to a cowardly terrorist attack in Somalia. These men gave their lives for their country, and for peace; we must, and we will, honour their service, their sacrifice and their valor," he said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

The soldiers were returning to Dhobley town near the Kenya-Somalia border through Dagalema route from Dadaab in northeast Kenya when their vehicle was hit by the IED.

The IED suspected to have been laid by al-Shabab militants massively damaged the military vehicle which was part of a convoy.

Two other soldiers who sustained serious injuries during the incident have since been airlifted to Wajir in northeast Kenya for specialized treatment.

Kenyatta said the mission for which the deceased gave everything will continue until the "evil terrorists of al-Shabab are defeated, and the people of Somalia are safe once more."

"We owe victory to the fallen. You may be sure we will win, for we have right and might on our side. May God rest the souls of our warriors, and may he grant their families the courage to bear this loss," said Kenyatta.

Dhobley town is located at the Somali border with Kenya and is one of the towns which have enjoyed relative peace in the southern Somalia.