- Corporal Mohammed Dahir was shot in the stomach, chest and pelvic area after gunmen opened fire on them
- Still on the way to the hospital, the officers came under more attack but managed to repulse the attackers
Image: THE STAR:
A police officer is fighting for his life in hospital after he was shot and seriously wounded by gunmen in an ambush in Loyangalan, Marsabit County.
The officer, Corporal Mohammed Dahir, was shot in the stomach, chest and pelvic area after gunmen opened fire on them as he drove six of his colleagues from the Arapal Platoon of Anti-Stock Theft Unit.
He had picked the officers who were reporting back for duty from Kambine area headed for Loyangalan on Sunday when they fell into an ambush by local gunmen.
More officers from the nearby camp responded to the scene and rescued the other group.
According to police, the injured officer was rushed to Marsabit Referral Hospital using a different vehicle.
On the way to the hospital, the officers came under more attack.
Police said the attack took place at Segel area but managed to fight back and repulsed the attackers.
Their lorry had a deflated front tyre but the driver managed to move to a safer place five kilometres away and changed it.
Police said the officer was admitted in stable condition and efforts to trace the attackers are ongoing.
The region has been facing increasing cases of gun attacks amid calls to address them.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki visited the area on Wednesday as part of efforts to address the menace.
Four family members were Tuesday afternoon shot dead by unknown assailants along Badasa - Songa road, Marsabit County.
Police said the victims include a retired police officer, his wife, a child and a male relative.
Two others escaped death narrowly and were taken to Marsabit Referral Hospital for medication. The incident brings the number of people killed in tribal attacks to seven in a week.
On Monday last week, a 38-year-old woman was killed near Bank-quarters while a bodaboda rider who was carrying the deceased sustained serious bullet wounds on his leg.
A day later a 70-year-old man was killed while a security guard was killed in Marsabit town, police said.
Locals are up in arms over the spate of killings blaming it on among others the disarmament of the National Police Reservists whom they said played a key role in combating criminal activities.
Governor Mohamud Ali on Tuesday condemned rising insecurity in Saku constituency after four people were killed by unknown gunmen.
The governor called on the security agencies to be proactive to quell insecurity challenges, describing it as heartless and barbaric.
He urged elected leaders to unite to end insecurity frustrating development and peaceful coexistence.
He said it is distressing to see the new episode of violence that began a week ago is now spiralling out of control, threatening the fragile peace that has been enjoyed in Marsabit.