Bandits besieging village shot dead
What you need to know:
- For almost a week, the village was surrounded by the bandits. The Anti-Stock Theft Unit personnel only managed to break through last Thursday, freeing over 1,200 people.
- Mr Ekwam said the school has 633 pupils but many had enrolled in other schools. He added that most missed school because they had been trapped in the village.
- North Rift ASTU chief John Ogola told the Nation that the bandits opened fire on officers on patrol near the village, about 200m from the camp in the Saturday attack.
Six bandits were killed and a police officer injured on Saturday evening in shootout at Lorogon Village.
For almost a week, the village was surrounded by the bandits. The Anti-Stock Theft Unit personnel only managed to break through last Thursday, freeing over 1,200 people.
The security team helped villagers access waterpoints cordoned off by the over 200 raiders.
The team waited from 9am to 3pm to gain access to the village and free the residents as the bandits were better armed.
Police said the 3km road to the village was full of armed men.
North Rift ASTU chief John Ogola told the Nation that the bandits opened fire on officers on patrol near the village, about 200m from the camp in the Saturday attack.
He said the 6pm shootout made worse an already bad security situation on the Turkana and West Pokot counties border.
“The officer sustained minor injuries on his ear and was taken to the Kapenguria District Hospital,” Mr Ogola said.
Lorogon Primary School head James Ekwam told the Nation that its four teachers were at Kainuk Trading Centre. He said the school would remain closed until the security of teachers and pupils was assured.
MISSED SCHOOL
Mr Ekwam said the school has 633 pupils but many had enrolled in other schools. He added that most missed school because they had been trapped in the village.
Tension is still high in the area with the fresh attacks reported on Saturday and Sunday.
Efforts by relief agencies and the Turkana County government to deliver food and other items to residents are ongoing.
The freed villagers complained of sickness, hunger and thirst.
Since Monday, four people, including three children, have been killed near the only waterpoint, with attacks beginning as early as 5.30am.
Two children are recuperating at Lodwar Hospital.
Journalists, who were in the first team to get into the village on Thursday, came face to face with problems residents were experiencing.
Mrs Rael Achuka, who is seven months pregnant, said anyone going to the dispensary, only 500m away, could easily be shot and killed.
Turkana South MP James Lomenen asked Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery or President Uhuru Kenyatta to visit the village and assure residents of security.
Mr Lomenen said if the government “continued to turn a blind eye to our problems, area leaders would meet to find a suitable solution”.
