An intense security operation is underway in Kurkum area in Loiyangalani Subcounty, Marsabit county, with police in hot pursuit of suspected armed criminals, accused of causing the death of three people Saturday at a water point using illegal firearms.
Marsabit County commissioner James Kamau said the incident, which occurred at Gathabi Ergek after two groups of herders differed over method of accessing water for their livestock, also left another herder with gunshot injuries.
Kamau warned that possession of illegal guns was serious crime, adding that a multi-agency team of security personnel dispatched to the area was pursuing those behind the skirmishes.
The county commissioner reiterated that it’s only the government that had the sole prerogative of providing security for all Kenyans and their property, adding that security personnel were on firm instructions to apprehend the culprits and recover the illegal guns used in the reported crime.
"We are not going to relent until the suspects are arrested and the illicit firearms in their possessions retrieved," he stated.
Kamau, who is also the chairman of the county security and intelligence committee, urged local herders to love one another by amicably sharing the available grazing resources.
The county commissioner further called for calm among local pastoralist communities, even as the relevant authorities, commenced investigations into the matter, with a view to bringing it into a logical conclusion and restore normalcy in the area.
The incident comes barely a week after the government issued a two-week ultimatum for surrender of all illegal firearms in the hands of members of the public, failure to which a security operation to mop up the guns would be conducted.
The county commissioner pointed out that the incident has confirmed the availability of illegal firearms in wrong hands in the sub-county, which borders Samburu county, adding that a forceful retrieval operation was imminent, unless the ultimatum was heeded to.
