46 killed in bandit raid on Turkana border town

At least 46 people were killed Monday and scores injured after a raid by bandits believed to be from Turkana on a village in Nadome on the Turkana-East Pokot border.

Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Osman Warfa confirmed the 46 deaths last night.

Mr Warfa said an unknown number of animals were stolen and added that members of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and Kenya Police had been dispatched to pursue the raiders.

“The attack took place in a very remote zone which is inaccessible,” Mr Warfa said, adding that the raiders escaped towards Turkana South.
Efforts by the Nation to get more information on the attack were frustrated by the remoteness of the village.

Earlier, additional security personnel were deployed along the Turkana East and East Pokot boundary following the fresh attacks between Turkana and Pokot pastoralists.

100 GOATS

Baringo County Commissioner Peter Okwanyo said armed Pokots had earlier attacked a village in Baringo North and made away with over 100 goats.

“These are provocative attacks and the security team in Turkana East needs to pursue and arrest the culprits to quell the heightened tension,” said Mr Okwanyo.

Among the hardest-hit areas by insecurity are Lomelo and Kapedo following the killings of three Pokot herdsmen, one of whom was hacked to death by the fleeing Turkana raiders.

The Pokots and Turkanas have been involved in a protracted armed conflict caused by cattle raids and dispute over pasture.

“Intelligence reports indicate that the raiders drove the animals towards Lomelo and Katilu in Turkana South,” said Mr Okwanyo on the Nadome raid.