Officers from The National Police Service have recovered approximately 150 stolen goats and sheep in Baragoi sub-location, Samburu County, stolen after a bandit attack had occured in Natiti Village.
According to a police statement a fiery exchange of gunfire took place after the police acted swiftly and decisively to intercept the bandits and recover the livestock marking another success in ongoing efforts by security forces to tackle rising cases of banditry and livestock theft in the region.
“Upon intercepting the bandits, a fierce exchange of gunfire ensued, overpowering the criminals. All the stolen livestock were successfully recovered and returned to the owners,” part of the statement read.
These sustained bandit attacks despite police efforts have continued to create fear among residents especially in livestock farming communities with residents expressing dissatisfaction on the government’s handling of the decades long menace.
Previous incidents of such bandit attacks have dealt big blows to years long multi-agency security teams efforts to restore normalcy in bandit prone areas. For instance in March an Anti-stock Theft Unit Police officer was killed in a bandit attack and within two days, 2 chiefs were killed too; Victor Sebei, an assistant chief of Kong’asis Sub-Location in Tiaty East, Baringo County Parara Lekiyierie, a former chief of Pura Sub-Location in Samburu Central.
These incidents among other bandit-related ones have resulted in stealing of livestocks and loss of tens of lives hence necessitating improved security in these regions.
Despite the President Ruto alongside Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen firing several warning shots to criminals and promising decisive measures, it appears these regions are still held hostage by armed bandits.
