Two suspected bandits were shot dead in a failed cattle rustling incident in Kokuro, Kibish, Turkana County.
The incident happened in Welegech village where a group of Dassanech armed bandits numbering about 50 attacked the area with the intention of stealing livestock.
The local members of the National Police Reserve responded swiftly which resulted into a fierce gun exchange between the assailants and the personnel.
Two assailants were fatally injured while others escaped with serious injuries during the incident, police who visited the scene said.
However there were no casualties from the NPR and Turkana herdsmen.
The bodies of the assailants remained at the scene after locals resisted any attempts to move them to the mortuary on Friday November 14. .
Patrols have been intensified within the said area amid fears of retaliation.
This is the latest such incident in the area amid operations to tame the practice.
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. The operation has also been extended to Migori where bandits are increasingly attacking and stealing animals.
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.
There is also an ongoing deradicalization process in the areas, which has borne fruits with some locals surrendering their weapons in Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo Counties. More than 600 assorted weapons have been surrendered in a two month exercise.
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 there are 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.
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