Paul Leshimpiriro, a Member of the Samburu County Assembly (MCA) was on Sunday, February 25, shot dead in a suspected bandit attack in the county.
According to Samburu County Police Commander Thomas Ototo, the MCA was shot on the Porro-Morijo road by unidentified assailants.
The attackers, reportedly, ambushed their vehicle leaving him with serious injuries. He was then rushed to the Morijo Dispensary where he succumbed to the gunshot injuries.
His death came amid a resurgence of bandit activity in the county and other parts of North Rift. At the time of his attack, the MCA elected on a Jubilee Party ticket was on his way to his home from Mararal Town in the company of his driver who managed to escape from the unidentified gunmen.
Amid the series of bandit attacks in the county, Leshimpiriro had emerged as one of the vocal leaders from the region calling for intervention to protect local communities.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspects who are still on the run, according to the County Police boss.
Naisula Lesuuda mourns death of MCA
Samburu West Member of Parliament Naisula Lesuuda was among the leaders who commented on the MCA’s death, affirming her commitment to push for action against the bandits.
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In her statement, Lesuuda shared a video where Leshimpiriro called for action from the national government after suspected bandits shot and killed civilians in the county.
“Only last month you called for action, today they got you. Rest in Peace Mhesh. We will not tire to call for decisive action against these murderers. How many more lives before it is enough? No one is safe,” Lesuuda posted in her reaction.
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Months since the government launched the all-out Operation Maliza Uhalifu, parts of the North-Rift region are still grappling with insecurity with bandits attacking locals and travelers using specific routes in the affected counties.
A group of unidentified gunmen, for instance had attacked a village in Samburu County less than a week after before Leshimpiriro’s death in an encounter that left a 59-year-old man dead.
The gunmen ambushed the man and drove away with a herd of cattle in a continued trend where bandits steal livestock and leave significant damage behind.
