It’s saddening news after an attack in Turkana East on Saturday, September 24th night left casualties as bandits killed some civilians and police officers in an ambush.
The officers attacked were in pursuit of rustlers who had attacked a village and stolen cattle on their way out as the armed thugs were faced with confrontation attacked the pursuers.
According to police spokesperson Bruno Shioso, those killed were eight officers, two civilians, and a chief.
Turkana East is a part of the large Rift Valley region that is affected by cattle rustling as the most affected regions include Kerio Valley where an operation has been commenced by the police to deal with the bandits.
“The National Police Service regrets to inform on the criminal and cowardly ambush by cattle rustling bandits on innocent members of the public and police officers. The officers were in hot pursuit of Pokot bandits who had raided a village in Turkana East and made away with livestock. A local chief, two (2) members of the public and eight police officers succumbed to the injuries,” announced the National Police Service (NPS) in a statement.
The National Police Service has further urged the people to stay calm as the police deal with the situation at hand following the deployment of more troops to the area.
“We have dispatched additional officers to reinforce the troops on the ground in beefing up security in the area and pursue the bandits. NPS reassures the public that all necessary measures shall be taken to restore security and safety in the region. NPS further condoles with the bereaved families of the departed officers and members of the public,” assured the NPS.
On Saturday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said he would address the banditry menace that has plagued the region for long and crippled operations in parts of Rift Valley.
Thereby the residents are hopeful that action will be taken and perpetrators apprehended for their crimes.
