Five die as police, herders battle raiders in Isiolo
Isiolo County Commissioner George Natembeya who has condemned the Wednesday raid at Mlango in Burat Ward which left five people dead and animals stolen after raiders attacked an AP camp at Mlango, about 30 kilometres from Isiolo Town. PHOTO | PHOEBE OKALL | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- County Commissioner George Natembeya said raiders attacked an AP camp at Mlango, about 30 kilometres from Isiolo Town.
- Police have recovered more than 100 animals that had been stolen with about 40 still missing.
- Mr Natembeya said that three more raiders might have been killed in the incident.
Five people have been shot dead in a fresh raid at Mlango in Burat Ward, Isiolo County.
The attack comes barely two weeks after seven herders were shot dead at Kuori dam on the Isiolo-Marsabit border.
Wednesday’s gun battle that lasted for five hours involved 70 attackers from Samburu and Isiolo counties, police and herders, also left a police reservist injured.
Isiolo County Commissioner George Natembeya, who condemned the raid, said the raiders, believed to be from one of the local communities, attacked an Administration Police (AP) camp at Mlango, about 30 kilometres from Isiolo Town.
Three bandits and the owner of the stolen animals who was attacked in his homestead and one person who was part of the team tracking the attackers in the company of police were shot dead during the raid.
100 ANIMALS RECOVERED
Police have recovered more than 100 animals that had been stolen with about 40 still missing.
Mr Natembeya said that three more raiders might have been killed in the incident.
“The bandits who were heavily armed attacked an AP post and kept on firing at police officers. We do not know if we are fighting [ordinary] raiders or a militia,” he said.
The raiders from Archers Post, Westgate and Kipsing areas are said to have split the animals into several groups to make it difficult for police and owners to trace them.
“The bandits seem like they have declared war against the government. The situation is getting out of hand and we will respond appropriately,” warned the county commissioner.
ILLEGAL FIREARMS
He said the presence of illegal firearms in the region is to blame for frequent raids among pastoralist communities in the region.
The injured police reservist was taken to Kiirua Hospital in Meru County for treatment.
Last week, about 150 attackers from two pastoralist communities in Laisamis, Marsabit County ambushed Borana herders from Merti in Isiolo, killing seven of them.
More than 1,000 animals were stolen and driven towards Laisamis by the attackers.
Police have recovered some animals but are yet to arrest the attackers.
