3 shot dead in Marsabit attacks amid calls for enhanced security operations

Three people were at the weekend shot and killed in separate incidents in Marsabit county.

The incidents have been linked to ongoing inter-clan clashes and banditry incidents.

There has been a rise in cases of insecurity incidents in the area fueled by clanism.

The latest happened on January 12, at Yell Kurkum village in Laisamis, Marsabit county where eight people were killed and three others injured in a bandit attack.

On January 21, one Laskan Nepe, 30, was shot and killed in Karare area by a gunman who escaped.

Police said the gunman was in a car that stopped as the deceased walked to the market and opened fire killing him on the spot.

The gunman then jumped into the car and sped off.

The body of one Ngabawa Matacho aged 71 was found with gunshot wounds in the hand and ribs, along the Marsabit-Isiolo road near the Karantina area.

Police said they established the deceased was headed for Hulahula when he was shot by unknown gunmen.

A team of security officers who visited the scene said they recovered two spent cartridges.

In the Sabarei area, one Jillo Jattani, 50, was shot and killed by gunmen who stole his 35 animals.

Police said he was shot in the chest by the gang that escaped with the animals for a short distance before they were confronted.

Police on the ground said all the stolen livestock were recovered and kept as exhibits.

The hunt for the gunmen is ongoing amid calls for enhanced operations to tame the trend.

A multi-agency security team was deployed to pursue the attackers, police said. Marsabit is one of the hotspots under threat from bandits.

Such attacks are common as raiders strike for livestock leaving a trail of deaths and injuries. There are fears the affected clan will retaliate.

Tension remains in the area as security agents rushed there to tame more attacks.