Samburu leaders call for search of missing persons
Security officers at Leparua on the Isiolo-Laikipia borde after three people were killed when Samburu and Ndorobo morans clash over land on January 23, 2016. Residents have claimed four children and a woman are missing following a police operation in the area to flush out bandits. PHOTO | VIVIAN JEBET | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
According to the area MCA David Lemantile, at least four children and a woman are missing after the operation.
The Isiolo County Commissioner George Natembeya denied the allegations saying that only a herder went missing Friday during the operation and a manhunt is ongoing to find him.
Last week, Samburu and Ndorobo morans clashed over land dispute.
Samburu leaders in Isiolo County have urged the area's security team to assist the locals search for missing persons who fled following an operation to flush out bandits.
According to the area MCA David Lemantile, the whereabouts of at least four children and a woman are unknown since the Friday operation in Ngarendare location.
The MCA added that more than 60 animals have also unaccounted for.
Mr Moses Lerosion, a local leader, accused police officers of firing randomly during the operation instead of targeting the criminals. Mr Lerosion said villagers were forced to run away to save their lives.
However, the Isiolo County Commissioner George Natembeya denied the allegations saying that only a herder went missing Friday during the operation and they are searching for him.
Mr Natembeya said three police officers sustained injuries during the operation when they ambushed the bandits’ hideout.
The county commissioner said the bandits had killed three people and seriously injured one in Leparua on the Isiolo-Laikipia border last week.
Last week, Samburu and Ndorobo morans clashed over a land dispute.
Mr Natembeya said the exercise was conducted to restore order in the cattle rustling prone area.
“The government wants to restore order in the area. We want to ensure that locals were secured by driving away the criminals who have been terrorising the two communities,” said the Commissioner.
The county commissioner added that the operation is still ongoing and more than 200 officers drawn from Isiolo, Meru and Laikipia Counties are participating.
