Bandits spray vehicle with bullets killing one, 2 others injured

Mar 30, 2023 - 00:24

File image of a man herding livestock. |Courtesy| KNA|

By Edith. O. Virginia One person was shot dead and two others injured during a bandit attack on Friday morning, March 25, 2022, at Kom Durte in Chari ward, Isiolo County. According to reports, the three were travelling to Merti when their car was sprayed with bullets by bandits. The assailants are suspected to have come from Laisamis in Marsabit County. One died on the spot while the other two were injured after the vehicle rolled several times before landing in a ditch. Confirming the incident, Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding stated that police officers had been deployed to the area. [caption id="attachment_14663" align="alignnone" width="800"]

File image of Police Officers patrolling the bandit ridden Kerio Valley. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]

“A manhunt for the bandits is on and we have sent our officers to beef up security in the area,” Omoding said.

The Nation reported on Friday that a number of motorists and passengers who operate along the Losesia-Kom route have complained about constant harassment by armed herders from the neighbouring counties.

Omoding noted that the ongoing operation will weed out the bandits who have terrorised residents in the region.

“We are committed to ejecting the remaining illegal herders through the ongoing operation targeting hotspots like Kom,” he said.

Youths from Chari ward have appealed to the government to remove the armed herders. They noted that several people have lost their lives and livestock stolen.

Giro Boru and Juma Golicha Guyo, led the youth leaders in demanding enhanced security along the Losesia-Kom route. According to the Chari youth, more than 10 lives have been claimed by banditry in the last two months.

“The government should address insecurity in the region,” Mr Boru said.

They accused local elected leaders,of failing to address the killing of residents and theft of livestock.