Gunmen struck a village and killed a herder in Suguta Marmar area, Samburu County.
The gang also shot and injured two herders in the confrontation, police said.
The victims were taking care of a herd of livestock when the gang struck in Nonyo Mpoya village.
Jumberia Lesaigor, 35 succumbed to bullet injuries, police said adding two other herders are admitted in the hospital following the attack.
The gang stole an unknown number of livestock in the attack on Friday, police said.
It came as Internal and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen declared a full-scale security operation at Mukokodo forest to flush out bandits in Laikipia County.
Murkomen also announced the establishment of a new police command, the second Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) in Laikipia County.
He further put on notice politicians aiding banditry and fueling insecurity in Kerio Valley, warning that they will face full force of the law.
According to the CS, OMU Two will have its command Centre in Kirimon in Laikipia County tasked to deal with the emerging crimes in the troubled areas, restore peace and normalcy.
The new operation will cover Samburu, Laikipia, Isiolo and parts of Meru counties.
This is a joint operation of the National Police Service (NPS) and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to deal with banditry and restore security targeting North Rift counties of Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Laikipia, Samburu and Elgeyo/Marakwet.
They will be working closely with the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs), NPRs and Rangers.
“We are separating command centres. We are setting a new command center at Kirimo which will complement Chemalingot base in Operation Maliza Uhalifu,” said Murkomen.
OMU Two will have its commander and will deal with emerging security trends that has a spill over to neighbouring counties.
“We still have a problem in Mukokodo forest, parts of Samburu East and Maralal. We are enhancing our operations to restore peace. We are carrying out one off operation to flush out the criminals,” he said.
He also directed that NPRs and Rangers are not answerable to politicians, and therefore should not be turned to their personal militias.
The CS made the announcement at a security meeting at Kirimon National Youth Service training camp, stating that the new base will complement Chemolingot command base in Operation Maliza Uhalifu in Kerio Valley.
He visited the disturbed County that has witnessed isolated security incidents lately, committing to restore calm with the deployment of the multi-agency security team.
The first OMU command Centre is at Chemolingot, Tiaty in Baringo county, aimed at eliminating the banditry activities in the North Rift.
He said the operation will incorporate use of technology, and the ministry is in the process of acquiring modern advanced equipment with more endurance and capabilities.
“We are also investing in aerial surveillance technology, night vision equipment, offensive and protective equipment,” said the CS.
“Operation Maliza Uhalifu has done tremendous work and commendable progress. Peace and normalcy has been restored in many areas and economic activities have resumed,” the CS noted.
He affirmed that the government is committed to restore peace in areas that still remain problematic.
“There is one area that is disturbed in Baringo county that we are dealing with and already stolen livestock has been recovered,” said Murkomen on Wednesday.
“Children are going back to school and locals are going about their business expect the one disturbed area that our security agencies are pacifying.”
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