A banditry raid in Isiolo North Sub-County left two suspected raiders dead following a gunfight in Leparua village.
According to police, the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when about 20 armed bandits raided the home of a local resident, Gitonga Mbatia, with the intention of stealing livestock.
A security team led by officers from the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) and anti-crime personnel responded to the attack. Authorities say a fierce exchange of fire ensued between the attackers and National Police Reservists (NPR) from the area.
During the confrontation, two suspected bandits were shot dead.
Police believe several other attackers who managed to escape sustained gunshot injuries.
The fleeing group was tracked toward the Tasia Hills area in the direction of neighboring Laikipia County.
The bodies of the two deceased suspects were moved to Isiolo Level IV Hospital mortuary for preservation and further identification.
Security operations in the area have been intensified as authorities pursue the remaining suspects.
The area is among those under a special operation aimed at addressing banditry at large.
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.
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