Daring bandits make brazen attack on KDF position in Kainuk
Daring bandits on Wednesday evening February 22, 2023, attacked Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) and police officers in Kainuk town in Turkana South.
Confirming the incident, Rift Valley regional Commissioner Dr Abdi Hassan said the multiagency security team repulsed the bandits.
"On Wednesday heavily armed bandits attempted to ambush KDF and police who are currently conducting a security operation in Kainuk, Turkana South. However, the bandits were repulsed," Hassan, who addressed the press at his office in Nakuru, said.
The Rift Valley regional Commissioner further added that two bandits were arrested during the attack.
"We have been able to arrest two bandits in Turkana following the incident and security officers also recovered one firearm."
Kainuk town in Turkana South lies at the border of Turkana and West Pokot counties which are among the counties heavily affected by banditry.
Bandits continue staging attacks in the troubled north despite the ongoing security operation to mop up illegal firearms in the restive region.
The bandits were suspected to be on a revenge mission after they were earlier repulsed by KDF and police officers near the Kainuk bridge.
On Wednesday, Kainuk town remained deserted as KDF soldiers and police officers came in contact with bandits near the bridge and at Amolem village.
County Commissioner Jacob Ouma said that the multi-agency security team on usual patrol targeting any civilian brandishing illegal firearm came into contact with the daring bandits.
He said that when the multiagency security team sighted the armed bandits between 10 and 11 am at Kainuk bridge, there was an exchange of fire, but the bandits were successfully repulsed.
"We have no casualties on the side of officers anywhere in Turkana by Wednesday night. One officer who broke his leg while running from the battlefield was treated at Kainuk and referred to Lodwar County and Referral Hospital for specialized services," the county commissioner said.
However, locals lamented that despite the ongoing multi-agency security operation, the bandits had resorted to hide-and-seek games with the security team, a situation that is causing great panic in the area.
Early this month, the government declared total war on North Rift bandits.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki declared a curfew in parts of Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, West Pokot, Samburu and Laikipia counties.
“This Order shall apply during the hours of darkness with effect from February 14, 2023, and shall remain in effect for a period of thirty (30) days,” the order read in part.
The government ordered the deployment of KDF to carry out a joint security operation with police to flush out bandits.
The government termed the security situation in the region a “national emergency” with more than 100 civilians and 16 people killed in the last six months.
