- The gunmen escaped amid gunfight. Efforts being made to arrest them and recover the stolen animals.
- CS Matiangi says they have mapped the area among others to receive special attention.
A police officer and a civilian were shot dead while another officer was injured in a banditry attack in Samburu.
Police said several animals were stolen in the incident on the eve of Christmas in Pura village.
The deceased officer was part of a team that was pursuing the stolen animals when he was hit.
The gang had earlier on shot and killed a 60-year-old man in a suspected retaliation mission.
They escaped with the animals as police pursued them amid exchange of fire.
Residents said they did not celebrate Christmas due to insecurity fears.
Samburu police commander Thomas Ngewa said the officer in charge of the Maralal police station was injured in the exchange of fire.
The Maralal Officer Commanding Station who sustained gunshot wounds and had to undergo surgery is said to be in stable condition.
“There was a shoot-out that also led to the killing of a 60-year-old man,” Ngewa said.
He warned residents against retaliations and urged them to respect life and property.
Police say the killing of the elderly man could have been a retaliatory attack after a herder from a neighbouring village was killed in Pura market three weeks ago.
The bodies were taken to the mortuary even as the affected vowed a similar retaliation.
A man hunt was mounted in the area to get those behind the incident.
The area is among those facing persistent attacks by bandits targeting animals and on retaliation attacks.
Authorities have mobilised resources to address the menace in vain.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i said the area is among those that have been mapped for special attention in the coming days.
The other areas include Marsabit, Turkana and Baringo where insecurity has been rife.
"We have mapped these areas and will soon get much needed attention."
-Edited by SKanyara