Bandits kill 14, drive away 1,000 heads of cattle in restive Samburu
At least 14 people were killed and about 1000 head of cattle stolen in Suyan, Mari in Samburu North Sub-County on Wednesday night.
Residents said there was a gunfight between the herders from Turkana and Samburu communities that lasted over 15 hours.
National Police Service (NPS) yesterday evening said some of the cows had been recovered and confirmed that unknown number of bandits from both the Turkana and Samburu were killed in the attack .
“The Samburu morans, who were herding the animals, trailed and caught up with the bandits and a gunfight ensued leading to fatalities on both sides,” police said.
Police said armed bandits suspected to be from the Turkana community raided a village in Marti, and made away with an unknown number of cattle belonging to the Samburu community.
As a result, the Samburu morans, who were herding the animals, trailed and caught up with the bandits and a gunfight ensued.
“A contingent of security personnel drawn from the General Service Unit and the general duty is already on the ground tracing the bandits and recovering the stolen stock,” police headquarters said, adding that security around the affected areas has been beefed up.
Locals said some of the people were killed just a few kilometres from Marti police station.
“The fierce gun battle lasted for close to 15 hours with both bandits and herders firing indiscriminately at each other,” a local told People Daily.
Among the dead included nine bandits and five local herders while several other people sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to the Maralal Referral Hospital.
“Several bandits sustained serious gunshot wounds and had fled to the Baragoi area. Security officers are on the ground to pursue them and restore order,” police said.
Samburu County Commissioner yesterday said reinforcements had been sent to several areas.
“The attackers drove some of the animals towards Baragoi. We have casualties so far and include six of the attackers but we will get more soon,” he said.
