Tension high in Baragoi as police kill cattle armed raider

Tension is high in Kawap Village in Baragoi, Samburu County, after one person was shot dead by police in a failed cattle rustling incident.

The shooting happened after heavily armed herders from a neighbouring community invaded and attacked residents of Kawap Village in what is believed to be a retaliatory attack.

According to Samburu County Police Commander Francis Kumut, officers responding to the attack shot one cattle rustler as more than 20 others, who were in a team of more than 100 attackers, escaped with gunshot wounds on Sunday evening.

“The rustlers are suspected to have organised to attack the residents, with the intention of revenging after they were repelled by locals and security officers in another attempt on Saturday,” said Mr Kumut.

SHOT INDISCRIMINATELY

Mr Kumut said the attackers opened fire, shooting indiscriminately at police officers, forcing them to respond.

In the shootout, one attacker was shot dead as the rest disappeared into the Suguta Valley, popularly known as the “Valley of Death”, with serious gunshot wounds.

The police chief said officers were alerted about a pending attack by locals and leaders and they sprang into action.

“Local leaders and security agents had convened a meeting to calm down the situation but it bore no fruit,” said the police boss.

He, however, said no animals were stolen in the incident.

Although police managed to repulse the attackers, tension remains high in the area.