Eight killed in Turkana raid

Eight people were reportedly killed in a raid in Turkana West District at the weekend.

Seven of the victims were suspected raiders while the other was a herdsboy identified as Lokai Ekulei, 16.

Speaking to the Nation by phone, Lokichoggio Peace Organisation coordinator Emannuel Eregai Monday said the raiders were killed after they attacked Napoi Enatuny village.

The more than 50 attackers, who were armed with AK-47 rifles, had driven away about 500 animals before villagers and Kenya Police Reservists managed to recover 264 animals.

Mr Eregai said two villagers were injured in the confrontation.

Area District Commissioner Patrick Murira confirmed the attack but denied reports that anyone had been killed.

“I am not aware of any deaths and if they occurred then it was not within our boundaries,” he said.

Mr Murira said two people only were injured during the attack but they had launched investigations over the raid.

The DC said among those who were on the ground were General Service Unit personnel, regular police APs and KPRs.

He said the latest raids had been caused by drought that had hit the area and the pastoralists were looking for water and pasture.

On Wednesday last week, one suspected Toposa raider was killed by the army after they struck Natumamong village in the district.

Another raider was seriously injured while Rift Valley Provincial Commissioner Osman Warfa was chairing a security/peace meeting at Natumamong water point about two kilometres from the area in which the raid occurred.

The raiders who had stolen 600 goats were repulsed by six army officers in two tanks who were in the meeting and all the animals recovered.

Labour minister John Munyes and the Provincial Police Officer Philip Munyambu were also present in the meeting.

The meeting was occasioned by the killing of seven people including AP constable Boniface Mwangi.