A Form Two student has succumbed to bullet injuries following a banditry attack in Ntimaru, Migori County.
The student, from St. Joseph Ntimaru Secondary School, died from injuries sustained during the October 22, 2025, shooting incident.
The attack, carried out by gunmen who made away with an unknown number of livestock, has left the community in shock and mourning.
According to police reports, the 16-year-old boy died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Kisumu, where he had been rushed for emergency care.
His body was later moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy as investigations into the October 26, 2025, incident.
Authorities note that cases of armed cattle rustling have been on the rise in the region despite ongoing efforts to curb the menace.
Police have raised concern that some locals are now acquiring firearms for retaliatory attacks, escalating the security challenge.
In response, additional security personnel have been deployed to the area amid fears of more raids. Officials also confirmed that most of the stolen livestock are sold in other regions, and operations are underway to close all loopholes fueling the illicit trade.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a member of the National Police Reserve (NPR) in Doldol, Laikipia County, accidentally shot and seriously injured his four-year-old daughter.
The child sustained gunshot wounds to the hand and right rib cage and was rushed to hospital, where she remains in stable condition.
Police said the officer had spotted suspected bandits and cocked his licensed G3 rifle to scare them off when the firearm accidentally discharged, hitting his daughter. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Large parts of the region are manned by armed NPR personnel trained to combat rising cases of banditry.
As part of broader efforts to address the cattle rustling crisis, the government has launched a deradicalization programme targeting individuals in possession of illegal firearms.
The initiative has already led to the surrender of more than 300 firearms and 3,000 rounds of ammunition in Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties over the past two months.
The operation covers Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Marsabit, Laikipia, Meru, and Isiolo counties.
Beyond law enforcement, the government is
prioritizing strategic investments and sustainable development initiatives,
including distributing subsidized farm inputs and offering agricultural
extension services to revive livelihoods in affected areas.
