• The fighting broke out after gunmen raided villages and stole about 1,000 animals in Samburu North.
• This sparked fierce fighting that spread from the ranch towards Baragoi, which is a hotspot.
Image: ABDIKADIR CHARI
At least 14 people were killed and five others injured in a 12-hour gunfight between herders and suspected bandits in Suiyan, Samburu County.
The fighting broke out after gunmen raided villages and stole about 1,000 animals in Samburu North.
This sparked fierce fighting that spread from the ranch towards Baragoi, which is a hotspot.
Police said the deaths were reported on both sides of the bandits and herders.
Six of the deceased were the attackers who struck on Wednesday night, prompting a fight that went on until Thursday.
The injured were admitted at Maralal hospital with multiple injuries.
There are fears the death toll may rise.
Samburu County Commissioner, Abdrizak Jaldesa said they had recovered almost 10 per cent of the stolen animals.
“We have sent reinforcements to pursue the attackers who have driven some of the animals towards Baragoi. We have casualties so far and include six of the attackers but we will get more soon,” he said.
The incident comes as drought ravages the area prompting the bloody fighting.
The area neighbors Laikipia county which is also troubled and under attack by armed gangs searching for pasture.
On October 27, three gunmen were killed after they murdered three police officers in Laikipia Nature Conservancy.
The officers were patrolling the expansive conservancy when they were ambushed by a gunman believed to be a sniper.
Authorities said the officers were riding in an armored vehicle when they came under attack.
The driver of the vehicle panicked and lost control, forcing it to overturn.
And as the occupants stepped out of the vehicle thinking it was safe, they were shot at by a gunman who escaped from the vicinity. A senior police officer said the victims died on the spot.
Police spokesman Bruno Shioso said the multi agency operations in the area will continue and told the illegal herders still there to leave. The government has been ordering the herders in the private ranches to leave but some have defied the orders.
An operation was mounted in the area following repeated attacks on locals and security agencies by gunmen believed to be herders.
More than 15 security personnel have been killed in the more than five months standoff.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i led a high delegation to oversee ongoing operations in the area against armed men.
Matiang’i commissioned the construction of new subcounty headquarters to enhance operations.
Chief of Defence Forces Gen Robert Kibochi had also landed in the troubled area and assured locals of security.
As part of efforts to restore order, Matiang’i announced the creation of a police division at Ol Moran with enough officers to patrol.
Ol Moran was gazetted as the headquarters for Kirima sub-county.
He said two additional police stations will be established in the flash point zones.
There will also be additional National Police Reservists recruited and deployed in disturbed areas, he said.
Further, a training base for elite police units will be established in the area to enhance police presence and serve as a buffer zone between Laikipia residents and invaders from neighboring counties.
The CS said there will be deployment of surveyors to Laikipia to expedite the titling process and review/recommend action on lapsed leases or those about to lapse.
“We will engage relevant ministries and agencies on the ideal management of the Laikipia Conservancy to mitigate its attraction as a conflict hotspot,” he said.
The attackers had been torching houses and other amenities including schools.
Meanwhile in Marsabit, eight people were killed along the Marsabit-Badasa road while traveling to Badasa.
Among those killed were the driver, turnboy and four passengers.
The incident happened a few kilometers from the town around bank quarters.
Several others were injured and rushed to Marsabit General Hospital.
The attackers are said to have first aimed and shot at the driver, managing to bring the vehicle to a stop before attacking passengers.
Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali condemned the incidents.
He called on the security agencies to be vigilant and act fast.