At least four people were killed and three others injured in a banditry attack at Manyatta Ginda village in Saku Constituency, Marsabit County.
The incident sparked outrage over insecurity in the region.
Locals had raised an alarm on Monday morning, saying gunmen had raided the village and stole dozens of livestock.
This prompted a response by some members of the National Police Reserve which also prompted a shootout. One NPR officer, a villager and two of the raiders were killed in the clash, police said.
Three other locals were shot and injured as the raiders escaped the scene.
Police said the injured were taken to hospital as the bodies were moved to the mortuary for identification and autopsy.
A rifle that the deceased NPR had was recovered in a thicket.
Marsabit County acting police commander George Kipkoros said the attack happened Monday dawn and identified the victims as a 36-year-old National Police Reservist, Guyo Isack, and a 60-year-old elder, Gutu Kutulo.
Kipkoros said preliminary investigations indicate the two slain suspects were wearing Songa Conservancy and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) uniforms. The Marsabit County University and College Students Association (MCUCSA) condemned the incident and called for investigations, saying such attacks undermine development, education and unity. The association urged residents and stakeholders to remain united and work with security agencies to restore peace.
Such attacks have been on the rise amid efforts to address the same.
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 Meru, 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 visited Meru on Monday which is also facing a similar challenge.
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