Two villagers shot, killed in attack in Isiolo
At least two people were shot and killed in an attack in a village in Merti, Isiolo County.
Police said they were called to a village in the Kilisa area following an attack by gunmen and recovered the bodies of Idris Yussuf Malicha, 35 and Ibrahim Jilo, 32.
The attackers escaped with an unknown number of livestock after the Friday October 17 attack.
Police said the bodies were released to the families for burial even as they investigate the incident.
In the Oldonyiro area in the same county, two people were shot and injured by bandits who were on the run.
The men armed with AK47 rifles attacked motorists in the Kipsing area. The gunmen also escaped with an unknown amount of money and other valuables from the victims.
The victims were taken to hospital in stable condition, police said.
This is the latest such an attack amid ongoing operations targeting banditry.
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.
“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.