An elderly herder was shot dead and dozens of livestock stolen during a raid in Meru County, prompting a security operation that culminated in a fierce exchange of fire between security officers and suspected raiders.
According to police, the incident follows a livestock raid that occurred at Gambela in Tigania East Sub-County.
The victim, identified as Sora Ali, a 71-year-old man, was attacked and killed by suspected raiders who subsequently made away with several sheep and goats from the area.
Police officers visited and processed the scene. The body was taken to the Isiolo Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary, where a post-mortem examination was conducted before it was released to the family for burial.
Following the attack, a multi-agency security team launched a pursuit operation and tracked the stolen livestock to Akongolo area in Igembe Central Sub-County.
During the operation on Thursday, the security team encountered the suspected raiders, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.
Police reported that 20 goats and 17 sheep, a total of 37 animals, were recovered during the operation. The suspects, however, managed to escape into the surrounding area.
Security officers recovered several items believed to have been left behind by the fleeing suspects, including a Maasai shuka, a jacket and a loaf of bread. Investigators believe at least one of the suspects may have sustained injuries during the shootout.
Local National Police Reservists (NPRs) and security personnel continued combing the area as the multi-agency team escorted the recovered livestock back to safety.
No injuries were reported among members of the security team during the operation. Investigations and the manhunt for the suspects are ongoing.
The area has been a point of focus in the past months following rising cases of cattle rustling. 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.
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.
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.
The attacks have affected development at large. Most of the stolen animals are driven to urban centres and in particular where they are slaughtered and sold as products.
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