Police wage war on bandits as three die in attack

Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Wanyama Musiambo addresses Nakuru residents on July 3, 2017. He has said the government is striving to end banditry. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Musiambo said security officers recovered all the stolen cattle.
  • Mr Musiambo said the government will deploy armoured personnel carriers in the area to help contain banditry.

Three people were shot dead and two others seriously injured during an attack at Bendera village in Baragoi town, Samburu County.

An unknown number of cattle was also stolen and driven towards Suguta valley in the 8am Friday incident.

HOSPITAL

A police officer was shot in the leg.

The officer and an injured civilian were rushed to Samburu County Referral Hospital in Maralal town where they received treatment.

CONDEMN

Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Wanyama Musiambo condemned the incident and said security officers later recovered all the stolen cattle.

"I want to condemn the attack that took place in Baragoi today morning. It is unfortunate that we lost three lives and two were injured," he said at the County Commissioner's office.

POLICE DEPLOYED

Mr Musiambo said police officers from nearby camps and stations were mobilized immediately after the attack; they ambushed the bandits and recovered the animals.

He said the government will deploy armoured personnel carriers in the area to help tackle banditry, adding that security officers are on high alert.

PEACE

"As a government, we will not tolerate such attacks and I want to assure Samburu residents that we will pursue the bandits to the end," he said.

"We cannot condone insecurity cases masterminded by a small fraction of people and careless killings as this.

"Peace is paramount to all Kenyans and we will ensure lives and property are protected," he said.

RESPONSE

Samburu Woman Representative Maison Leshoomo also condemned the incident and lauded the government’s swift response.

Mrs Leshoomo called for peace between the Turkana and Samburu communities.

"It is so sad that lives have been lost in today's attack. We want to thank the government for intervening on time and recovering the stolen livestock,” she said.

ELDERS

She urged the elders to initiate dialogue, pledging support for the bereaved families.

"As Samburu leaders we stand with the affected families because it is a hard and trying moment for them," she said.