Two members of the National Police Reserve were shot and
killed in a confrontation between security agencies and gunmen in the Kaptir
area of Aroo, Turkana County.
The killing of the two prompted a standoff between security
teams and locals who refused to allow the collection of the bodies.
The standoff ran from Wednesday evening to Thursday, when
the security team managed to retrieve the bodies amid chaos.
The team was attacked on the way by a mob that had also
barricaded the Lodwar–Kapenguria highway.
The team included Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel based
at Loyapat Camp.
This followed a banditry attack in the area where an unknown
number of livestock were stolen.
Upon reaching the Lokwar area near Lodwar Laga, the team
deployed a drone to enhance surveillance and gather situational awareness,
officials said.
The drone footage revealed a large herd of cattle being
herded and guarded by several armed individuals suspected to be bandits, the
officials added.
This prompted the personnel to advance toward the location
for verification, which led to a shooting.
A fierce exchange of fire ensued and lasted for
approximately five minutes before it ceased.
Police said that upon conducting clearance at the scene, the
KDF team discovered two bodies lying on the ground, both identified as National
Police Reservists (NPRs) armed with G3 rifles.
The deceased were identified as Eyapan Loluk Engyalan, who
was armed with a G3 rifle loaded with 21 rounds of ammunition, and Lomongwas
Ikari, who was armed with a G3 rifle loaded with 16 rounds of ammunition.
Additionally, an extra pouch containing 56 rounds of
ammunition was recovered at the scene, police said.
Shortly after, rowdy members of the public arrived at the
scene, expressing anger over the deaths and forcibly preventing the security
personnel from removing the bodies, accusing the KDF of wrongfully shooting the
NPRs.
The two bodies remained at the scene under the watch of
locals who stood firm.
A reinforcement team sent to the scene was also chased away
by the rowdy group, which was armed, causing a standoff that ran into the
night.
Police said the standoff continued overnight until Thursday,
when they were finally able to remove the bodies.
An investigation has been launched to determine who was
behind the shooting amid claims that it was a case of mistaken identity.
The area is among those under Operation Maliza Uhalifu, aimed
at dealing with banditry.
The operation has managed to contain crime in the area and
other counties despite persistent challenges.
The operation targets Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu,
Marsabit, Meru, and Isiolo counties.
Besides retributive action, strategic investment and
sustainable development have also taken a prominent place among the
government’s planned crime-control interventions for Kenya’s northern frontier
and the Kerio Valley belt.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the
long-term vision is to empower communities to actively take part in the war
against animal rustling and engage in legitimate nation-building activities.
There is also an ongoing deradicalization process in the
area that has prompted some residents in Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties
to surrender their weapons.
Murkomen said plans are underway to distribute subsidized
agricultural inputs and provide extension services to area residents in a bid
to revive farming activities as a source of livelihood.
Murkomen also ordered fresh vetting for all National Police
Reservists (NPRs) as part of efforts to bolster their operations.
“We are coming to dismantle not only the criminals
themselves but also to bring down the entire chain that has been the cattle and
livestock rustling industry,” he said.
He also announced a new policy shift, which
institutionalizes the command structure of NPR officers, stating that they will
henceforth be under the direct command of the Officer Commanding Police Station
(OCS) as part of efforts to enhance their operations.
