Turkana leaders condemn Saturday's killing of 11 people

Turkana leaders led by Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai on Sunday condemned the killing of 11 people including eight police officers. 

The officers were killed alongside a Chief and a woman by suspected Pokot bandits in Turkana East on Saturday. 

"I have received with great sadness and shock news of the brutal murder of ten people, among them eight security officers, chief and a woman by suspected Pokot bandits in Kamuge Turkana East,” Lomorukai said in a press briefing.

The victims were ambushed as they pursued a gang of heavily armed bandits suspected to be from the neighbouring Baringo county. 

Turkana Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi confirmed the incident saying the victims were ambushed at Namariat near Kakiteitei village. 

He said the security convoy comprising of GSU, NPRs and General duty personnel were pursuing the bandits who had attacked Ngikengoi village in Elelea sublocation, Katilia ward.

"At the scene of ambush general duty officer (driver) and other seven police constables of GSU Lokori were shot dead."

Ndanyi said the suspected Pokot bandits came from Tiaty in Baringo county.

Lomorukai called on national security agencies to immediately respond and bring to justice the cold blooded murderers.

The governor said Chief Gilbert Lomukuny of Napeitom location, former Samburu county executive for health Mary Kanyaman, sister to Thirdway Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot, were leading the officers to recover stolen livestock belonging to her father. 

The governor said residents of Turkana are tired of mourning deaths of their family members, victims of bandit terror that's getting out of hand while the murderers go unpunished.

He said last month, ten residents of Turkana were burnt alive in Napeitom when bandits torched their houses in the middle of the night.

"Despite our calls for action, the criminals were never pursued and the families affected have not received justice yet."

The governor said in the past year, there have been similar attacks along the border with West Pokot and Baringo which have caused a state of insecurity and forced communities out of their homes.

Turkana Senator James Lomenen condemned the incident and called on the government to beef up security.

He also asked security agencies to mop up illegal firearms in the region.

"If the bandits can kill the security officers dispatched by the government to protect our people, then how safe are the residents? he asked.

"When will these killings stop? How many people is the government waiting to be killed for action to be taken? Which government are we waiting to end these killings?” he posed.

Lomenen called the government to make efforts to recover government firearms taken by bandits and compensate families for the lives lost in attacks.

Police said a motor vehicle from Lokori ferrying peace caravans to Kamuge village unknowingly drove into ambush.

"As a result, the senior chief Gilbert of Napeitom and Mary Kanyaman director of Golden Valley Cooperative who were inside the vehicle were shot dead by the bandits." 

Ndanyi said two security officers were injured during the incident.

“Security officer sustained an injury on the shoulder and was rushed to Lodwar referral hospital for further treatment," he said.

"Another also sustained injuries on both legs and was rushed to Subounty hospital Lokori where he is receiving treatment in stable condition," Ndanyi said.

Chief Executive Officer for Lodwar County Referral Hospital Joseph Epem said they received three casualties from Turkana East with gunshot wounds.

“One patient (Security officer) was critically injured, admitted at HDU and stabilised. He is supposed to be airlifted to Nairobi for further treatment,” he said.

The medical officer said the other two casualties have minor injuries, one had a gunshot wound on the leg and other one was injured on the hand but is in stable condition.