Eight killed, seven injured in Samburu cattle raid
Eight bodies of men and a woman that were killed at Nabwel Nyang Village near Marti in Samburu North Sub-County arrive at Samburu County Referral Hospital mortuary in Maralal Town, February6, 2016. PHOTO | JOHNSON KETI | NATION MEDIA GROUP.
What you need to know:
- The villagers, who had recently migrated from Lokorkor Sub-Location in search of pasture, were ambushed by a group of about 300 bandits.
- The bandits overpowered the villagers before driving away with 300 cattle, nine camels and 10 donkeys.
- Two children who were among the seven injured were airlifted to Nairobi for treatment with serious bullet wounds.
Eight people were killed, seven injured and livestock stolen at Nabwel Nyang Village in Samburu North in an attack by bandits on Friday morning.
A woman who was in a house near the entrance of the village near Marti in Samburu North was among the eight people who were killed.
The villagers, who had recently migrated from Lokorkor Sub-Location in search of pasture, were ambushed by a group of about 300 bandits.
The bandits overpowered the villagers before driving away with 300 cattle, nine camels and 10 donkeys.
Speaking to the Nation on phone on Saturday, Samburu North District Commissioner Henry Katana said 220 cattle were recovered after the incident.
"The attackers dropped the cattle after they were overpowered by a joint team of police officers who were called in at 6am and the residents," he said.
CHILDREN AIRLIFTED
Two children who were among the seven injured were airlifted to Nairobi for treatment with serious bullet wounds.
Mr Katana said the woman and a bandit were shot dead in the manyatta homestead during the cattle raid that began at 4.30 am.
Mr Katana said police officers discovered six more bodies in a nearby bush that served as a battle ground between the bandits and villagers.
He said gun battles between the two rival groups lasted up to 7am.
"Five of the six bodies are those of the bandits and the other one of a young moran who was among villagers that fought off the attackers," he said.
Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal condemned the incident, asking the national government to take action against criminals who played a role in the attack.
"We are shocked at what happened yesterday. We condemn those who have planned the attack and the participants.
“As leaders of Samburu County, we condemn the incident. Youths have lost their lives and livestock stolen. It is very unfortunate that these things are still going on," said Mr Lenolkulal.
The incident occurred barely a week after the governor and other leaders, including Samburu North MP Alois Lentoimaga, toured the region on January 31, urging Samburu, Turkana and Pokot communities to shun tribalism, cattle rustling and coexist peacefully.
Mr Lenolkulal had pledged to work with government and other leaders to resettle more than 700 people displaced by insecurity last October in Marti, where a man was killed and 126 heads of cattle stolen.
