Two police reservists among four killed in bandit attack on Meru-Isiolo border

Isiolo Governor Godana Doyo. A row between Isiolo County leaders has taken a turn for the worse after a faction allied to the speaker threatened to collect signatures to oust Governor Doyo. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The bandits stole over 200 livestock and two G3 rifles and ammunition belonging to the KPR officers.
  • Isiolo County Commissioner Wanyama Musiambo, however, said police officers pursued the raiders and managed to recover the stolen animals.
  • He said the recovery was fast as they used an aircraft from Lewa Downs Conservancy.
  • The attack comes barely a fortnight after 10 people were killed in the Loruko area in clashes between the Samburu and Turkana communities.

Bandits raided Gachuru Village on the Meru-Isiolo border on Monday afternoon and shot dead four people, among them two Kenya Police Reservists (KPR).

Two other people sustained gunshot wounds in the 4.30pm incident. The bandits stole over 200 livestock and two G3 rifles and ammunition belonging to the KPR officers.

Isiolo County Commissioner Wanyama Musiambo, however, said police officers pursued the raiders and managed to recover the stolen animals.

He said the recovery was fast as they used an aircraft from Lewa Downs Conservancy.

Mr Musiambo said security personnel were still pursuing the raiders, who escaped towards Samburu County in a bid to recover the stolen firearms.

He said there was a shootout between the police and the raiders and some bandits could have been injured.

TRACES OF BLOOD

He said they found traces of blood while pursuing the bandits, an indication that some of them sustained injuries in the shootout.

The attack comes barely a fortnight after 10 people were killed in the Loruko area in clashes between the Samburu and Turkana communities.

Isiolo Governor Godana Doyo and Isiolo North MP Samal Lomwa condemned the incident and called on the government to address insecurity in the county.

Mr Doyo called on the national government to move with speed and disarm those with illegal firearms.

Speaking after a burial at Kambi Ordha Cemetery, the county boss said Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku must take responsibility for the two incidents and assured Isiolo residents that they would be safe.

“We are giving the Samburus an ultimatum that they either stop these activities or else they will face the full wrath of the law,” warned the governor.

Mr Doyo expressed his concern that a part of the Samburu community still practiced cattle rustling, which he called an outdated and barbaric practice that had led to the loss of lives and property.

He noted that many firearms belonging to KPR officers were still in the hands of the bandits and have been used in criminal activities in some parts of Isiolo County. The governor called for a mop-up to rid them of the weapons.

On his part, Mr Lomwa accused the national government of failing to conduct disarmament in the Samburu County.

The lawmaker said it was unfortunate that bandits from Samburu continued to reign terror on Isiolo residents while the government kept quiet on the issue.