State urged to address cases of bandits attacks in Turkana

The Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) has urged the government to move with speed and stop the banditry attacks in northern Kenya.

The follows following the killing of 11 people in Turkana on Saturday.

In a statement, the Human rights body said the government has a duty to protect citizens and prevent loss of lives.

"Our attention has been drawn to the killing of at least 11 people among them eight police officers, two civilians, and a local chief by cattle rustlers during an ambush in northern Kenya." 

"As they do so, they should be alive to Article 238 of the Constitution which provides the principles of National security which is the protection against internal and external threats to Kenya’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, its people, their rights, freedoms, property, peace, stability and prosperity, and other national interests," read part of the statement.

The NGO also said the government's intervention should never be a justification to engage in extrajudicial executions.

On Saturday, at least 11 people were killed by armed gunmen in a cattle-rustling incident in Turkana East, Turkana county.

Police spokesman Bruno Shioso said the victims were pursuing a heavily armed gang that had raided a village and stole livestock.

“The officers were in hot pursuit of Pokot bandits who had raided a village in Turkana East and made away with livestock,” he said.

A police chopper landed in Nairobi on Sunday with the eight bodies of police officers killed by bandits.

And on Monday, a multi agency operation was launched in parts of Pokot and Turkana Counties following an attack.

Military choppers were spotted in Lokori area ahead of the launch of the operation following an order by President William Ruto to security agencies to deal firmly, decisively and conclusively with those involved in the attack and cattle rustling will stop.