Four shot dead in Samburu after cattle raiders attack Mbukoi Village

Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal hands over goats to Kamama, an elder from the Pokot community, recently after a peace meeting. Doctors and other health staff who apply for jobs in Samburu will be paid handsomely. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • An unknown number of animals were stolen during the raid which happened Tuesday evening.
  • Another villager sustained serious injuries and was taken to the Samburu County Hospital in serious condition.
  • Home guards joined in pursuit that saw the rustlers abandon 37 head of cattle and drove away the rest which had been grazing.
  • Governor Lenolkulal said his government would not tolerate cattle rustling.

Four people were shot dead when suspected cattle rustlers attacked Mbukoi Village in Samburu North Sub-County.

An unknown number of animals were stolen during the raid, which happened Tuesday evening.

The dead included two home guards and two suspected raiders.

Another villager sustained serious injuries and was taken to Samburu County Hospital in serious condition.

A witness, Mr Mark Lesipiroi, said about 50 heavily armed raiders attacked a group of locals herding livestock in the area.

Home guards joined the pursuit that saw the rustlers abandon 37 head of cattle and drove away the rest which had been grazing.

Samburu County Police Commander Patrick Wambani condemned the attack, saying he had liaised with his Baringo County counterparts and expressed optimism that the cattle would be recovered.

CONDEMNED ATTACK

Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal, Samburu West MP Alois Lentoimaga, Samburu East MP Raphael Letimalo and Samburu West MP Jonathan Lelelit also condemned the incident, saying such attacks must not be tolerated since they served to retard the development of the area.

Mr Leleleti called upon the national government to supply two armed surveillance helicopters, enough police patrol vehicles and equipment to enable security officers to effectively deal with cattle rustling.

Mr Lentoimaga said it was worrying that over 40 guns and ammunition that were stolen from slain police officers were yet to be recovered.

Governor Lenolkulal said his government would not tolerate cattle rustling.

This latest attack comes three weeks after Pokot and Samburu elders signed a peace treaty at Porror Administration Police Camp in Samburu in the presence of the Samburu County security committee led by Mr Lenolkulal.