Bandits kill two, steal livestock in Turkana raid

Tension is high in Turkana South following two separate attacks that left two people dead and hundreds of livestock stolen by suspected bandits believed to be from the neighbouring West Pokot County.

In the first incident, which occurred in Kainuk near the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) post, an elderly man was ambushed and killed while herding goats.

The heavily armed attackers, reportedly made away with 268 goats.

In the second, a man was shot dead while delivering water to gold miners in Lokwar, Kaptir Ward. The killing sparked outrage among residents and leaders.

Turkana South MP John Ariko condemned the killings and banditry in the region. Speaking when he visited the family of the second victim, Dr Ariko expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation and called for swift government intervention.

 “These continuous attacks are unacceptable. We cannot afford to lose more lives and livelihoods to bandits. I call upon the national government to take immediate and decisive action,” said the MP.

He further announced that his office will allocate National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), to rebuild Lokwar Primary School, which was razed by suspected bandits.

Lokwar is among four schools identified by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to benefit from a special reconstruction programme undertaken by the Kenya Defence Forces.

However, the MP criticised the national government for taking too long to act on the matter, particularly rebuilding of schools and addressing insecurity in the region.

 “The government has taken too long to act. Our people are suffering, children are out of school, and families are burying their loved ones. We demand urgency in addressing this crisis,” Dr Ariko said.

He questioned the effectiveness of the police deployed in Turkana South, saying that despite their presence, bandits still kill residents and steal livestock.

“We have a full presence of GSU and police officers here, yet people are being killed in broad daylight and animals are stolen right in their presence. This cannot be allowed to continue,” he said.

The MP called for immediate replacement of police and GSU officers in the region, accusing some of being more interested in business deals than security. He urged the government to deploy officers who are up to the task of restoring law and order in the region.

Ariko further issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the multi-agency security team in the area to recover the stolen animals and arrest the suspects.

“I have given the multi-agency team 48 hours to ensure that all the stolen animals are returned and those behind these heinous acts are arrested and brought to face the full force of the law,” he said.

Kainuk Ward MCA Samwel Aliwo Elimlim, echoed the MP’s sentiments saying: “We are tired of burying our people. It’s painful to see our herders being killed while those tasked with protecting them do nothing. We need a total overhaul of the security approach in Turkana South.”

Lokichar Ward MCA Samwel Lomodo said:  “The loss of that young engineer is a huge blow to our community. We cannot develop when our professionals are being shot like criminals. The government must deploy security officers who serve the people, not themselves.”

Lawyer Ekusi Lore said: “This is very inhuman and painful. If it’s about livestock, take the animals – but taking lives is unacceptable. The killing of the old man and the engineer who was simply delivering water to gold miners is a deep wound to our community. You are denting the future of Turkana by targeting our narrators and generators of development.”

Turkana County Police Commander John Tarus confirmed said that security has been intensified in the affected areas and they are working closely with their counterparts in the neighboring counties to arrest the suspects and recover the stolen livestock.

 “We have beefed up security in the area and are in coordination with our colleagues in West Pokot. Investigations are ongoing, and while we suspect the animals may have been driven toward West Pokot or even Baringo, we’re yet to confirm their exact location,” said Tarus.

Residents called for the deployment of more police officers along the Turkana–West Pokot border and a security operation in Turkana South to restore peace and prevent further attacks.