At least three herders were shot and killed in a clash with gunmen who were attempting to steal their livestock in Kokuro area, Kibish, Turkana County.
The incident is the latest in a series that have persisted in the area amid police operations to address the menace.
Police and locals the incident happened on February 6, 2026 evening in Merrikuka area prompting a fierce shootout.
The attackers escaped to a lagoon leading to the Kenya-Ethiopia border leaving behind the stolen animals.
It was then that three bodies were found. Police said a number of the attackers were injured in the clash and escaped with wounds.
The bodies of the deceased were moved to the local mortuary. The area has in the past weeks been experiencing a rise in cattle rustling attacks amid police operations.
In Godoma area, Marsabit County, one Mariam Hassan, 33 was found murdered in a grazing field.
She had gone to graze her goats in the area when she was killed by unknown people. Police said they had a clue on the assailant who is believed to have fled towards Ethiopia.
The body was moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy.
In Loyangalani, Marsabit County, a herder was shot and injured in a clash with suspected bandits. He was admitted in hospital in a stable condition.
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.
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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