A police officer has been injured in a fierce shootout with cattle rustlers at Mbus Kutuk area of Lenguruma in Isiolo North.
The officer was part of a team of Tura-based General Service Unit (GSU) officers who were pursuing livestock stolen from the bordering Mohamuds ranch in Laikipia.
A report filed at Oldonyiro police station says the officer who has since been transferred for specialized treatment was shot twice.
“The team came in contact with the raiders and a shootout ensued where one officer got shot in the abdomen,” reads the report.
“The officer has been stabilized waiting for medical evacuation,” it adds.
The pursuit to track and recover the stolen animals and arrest the perpetrators, it states, continues.
Laikipia is among the six counties declared 'disturbed' and 'dangerous' in February this year by the government following an upsurge in banditry and livestock theft.
Several lives have been lost over the years as a result.
Interior cabinet secretary Kindiki Kithure announced Friday in Baringo that the counties will remain so as Operation Maliza Uhalifu continues.
"Other than the recovery of stolen livestock, security officers must also apprehend and prosecute masterminds, financiers, and handlers of stolen livestock," Kindiki said.
As part of measures to end conflict in the bordering counties in the area, Kindiki announced the deployment of special teams including recruitment of police reservists as well as armored personnel carrier vehicles (APCs) to help in the operations.
