Curfew on market centre after siege by armed robbers

A 10pm to 6am curfew in Lolgorian market centre has been imposed in Narok after criminals laid siege on the centre for more than three hours.

Security had been beefed up yesterday with a contingent of police officers from the regular, administration and General Service Unit patrolling the centre’s pathways.

County Commissioner Mr Magu Mutindika said locals have heeded the call to stay indoors during curfew hours.

During the daring siege on Tuesday night, about 30 gunmen shot dead a guard at a petrol station and robbed shops.

The criminals also attacked two police stations, sprayed them with bullets indiscriminately and the security officers scampered for safety.

Residents accused the police of fleeing instead of confronting the criminals who are said to have leisurely moved from one premise to another stealing, and even had time to eat food they had stolen from the stores.

Businesses are said to have lost about Sh100,000 during the attack.

And by 7pm yesterday, the market centre was virtually deserted as locals rushed to their homes.

A local, George Kimita says he left early to avoid arrest.

“The county commissioner on Wednesday said those found loitering at night would have themselves to blame,” said Mr Kimita.

Trans Mara West police boss Alfred Muthua said the patrols would continue and urged residents to cooperate with security officers and help flush out criminals.

“We are yet to know the motive of the robbers but investigations are going on,” said Mr Muthua.

He asked residents to embrace the Nyumba Kumi and urged them to know each other to enhance security.

“The robbers must have colluded with some locals. Some members of the gang could have be locals,” said Mr Muthua.