Four people were killed when suspected armed cattle rustlers raided a village in Laikipia North onstituency on Tuesday.
The raiders numbering more than 50 and believed to have come from the neighbouring Isiolo County struck Tiamamut village at 3.00 am to steal livestock from the locals, but were repulsed by security guards manning the nearby Naibunga Conservancy, resulting in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
Two of the raiders were shot dead, but they also killed two of the guards and stole one gun before escaping towards Isiolo County after they were overpowered.
Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere who visited the area accompanied by the local security team led by County Commissioner Daniel Nyameti condemned the attack and called for flushing out of the raiders who have been terrorizing area residents.
“For how long shall our people continue to suffer at the hands of these bandits from Isiolo? It’s our constitutional right to be accorded security,” MP Korere said while addressing residents at Tiamamut village on the border of Laikipia and Isiolo counties.
The MP accused security personnel of failing to act on the attacks despite getting advance warning from locals about the impending raid a week ago.
“Last week they killed a 22-year-old man who was grazing, now they have struck again, for how long will this continue?” said Ms. Korere.
Officers from Oldonyiro police post which is only five Kilometres from the scene of the incident failed to respond to the attack yet they are closest to this area.
“The Inspector-General of police should seek answers from his officers on the ground. Why didn’t the police act when the raiders invaded? Their work is to protect lives and property. Do we have different commands for the officers?” Quipped Lekorere.
On his part, Nyameti, while addressing the residents said that a police post would be set up in the area to boost security, adding that authorities were investigating the possibility of incitement from politicians.
The county commissioner said that he was engaging in constant talks with his Isiolo counterpart to help in tracking down the attackers who are still at large.
“We have information that the bandits came from as far as Wamba, Kipsing and Alusero from the neighbouring counties but I can assure you that we shall catch up with them,” he said.
The County Commissioner further said that a recent meeting with local elders had resolved to evict Samburu herders who had crossed over from a neighbouring county in order to reduce rising tensions in the area and urged locals not to seek revenge through retaliatory attacks.
He further directed that structures put up in the area for use as circumcision houses for the Samburu community be demolished at once.
He asked the area residents to continue providing vital information to the relevant authorities on any impending attacks so that security personnel could act swiftly.
