Two members of the National Police Reserve were Wednesday shot and killed in a confrontation between security agencies and gunmen in the Kaptir area of Aroo, Turkana County.
The killing of the two prompted a standoff between security teams and locals who refused to allow the collection of the bodies.
The team included Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel based at Loyapat Camp. This followed a banditry attack in the area where an unknown number of livestock were stolen.
Upon reaching Lokwar area near Lodwar Laga, the team deployed a drone to enhance surveillance and gather situational awareness.
The drone footage revealed a large herd of cattle being herded and guarded by several armed individuals suspected to be bandits.
This prompted the personnel to advance toward the location for verification which prompted a shooting.
A fierce exchange of fire ensued and lasted for approximately five minutes before it ceased.
Police said upon conducting clearance at the scene, the KDF team discovered two bodies lying on the ground and both were identified as National Police Reservists (NPRs) armed with G3 rifles. The deceased were identified as Eyapan Loluk Engyalan who was armed with a G3 rifle loaded with 21 rounds of ammunition and Lomongwas Ikari who was armed with a G3 rifle loaded with 16 rounds of ammunition.
Additionally, an extra pouch containing 56 rounds of ammunition was recovered at the scene, police said.
Shortly after, rowdy members of the public arrived at the scene, expressing anger over the deaths and forcibly prevented the security personnel from removing the bodies, accusing the KDF of wrongfully shooting the NPRs.
The two bodies remained at the scene under the watch of the locals. A reinforcement sent to the scene was also chased away by the rowdy group that was also armed causing a standoff that ran to the night.
Police said they had called for more help from local leaders to help in solving the standoff.
This will help determine who was behind the shooting.
The area is among those under Operation Maliza Uhalifu aimed at dealing with bandits.
The operation has managed to contain crime in the area and other counties amid persistence.
The operation targets Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit, Meru and Isiolo counties.
Besides retributive reaction, strategic investment and sustainable development have also taken a prominent place among the government’s planned crime control interventions for Kenya’s Northern frontier and the Kerio Valley belt.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the long-term vision is to empower the communities to actively take part in the war against animal rustling and undertake legitimate nation-building activities.
There is also ongoing deradicalization process in the area that has prompted some of those in Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo Counties to surrender their weapons.
Murkomen said plans to distribute subsidized agricultural inputs and extension services to area residents in a bid to revive farming activities as a source of livelihood.
Murkomen ordered fresh vetting for all National Police Reservists (NPRs) as part of efforts to bolster the operations.
He said plans to distribute subsidized agricultural inputs and extension services to area residents in a bid to revive farming activities as a source of livelihood.
“We are coming to dismantle not only the criminals themselves but also to bring down the entire chain that has been the cattle and livestock rustling industry,” he said.
He also announced a new policy shift, which institutionalizes the command structure of the NPR officers, stating they will hence be under the direct command of the Officer Commanding Police Stations (OCS) as part of efforts to enhance their operations.
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