A special police operations team based at Archers Police Post was engaged in a fierce gun exchange with suspected cattle rustlers in Samburu East, Isiolo County.
The incident happened while the officers were conducting their routine operation on March 15, 2024, at Sero Longai Village, Samburu East Isiolo County at around 0300hrs.
According to a statement by the National Police Service, suspected morans rained bullets on the police officers who were in transit aboard a lorry and damaged the radiator of the vehicle.
The operation led to the recovery of 18 heads of cattle previously stolen in Meru County, an AK-47 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of ammunition and three TECNO mobile phones from the morans.
“During the recovery, a fierce exchange ensued between the security team and in the process, the suspected morans damaged the radiator of Police lorry Reg. GKB 408U,” the statement read in part.
“The security team managed to recover an AK-47 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of ammunition and three TECNO mobile phones from the morans,” the statement read.
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The recovered animals were handed over to their owners while the mobile phones were handed over to DCI for further investigations.
OCPCD injured by bandits
In another instance, one person was killed in Doldol, Laikipia County, and several police officers were injured in an ambush laid by bandits in the area on Friday.
The operation was led by Tigania East OCPD Emmanuel Kiplagat in an effort to retrieve livestock reportedly stolen from Matabithi, Meru County, three weeks ago.
During the confrontation, Kiplagat was shot in the shoulder and is presently recovering in a nearby hospital.
Kiplagat and his group were able to retrieve 300 animals. Despite this, an ambush laid by the bandits led to the loss of the cattle once again.
Kindiki deploys National Police Reservists in Isiolo
The incident happened just a day after the cabinet secretary for interior Kithure Kindiki Deployed National Police Reservists (NPRs) in Isiolo.
The deployment was to facilitate and aid the existing police forces to combat cattle rustling. The vice has been persistent in the area over a long period of time.
“The recruitment, training, and deployment of NPRs is an effective strategy to bridge the gaps of enhancing security in the Rangelands and infusing local content in security solutions. NPRs provide critical knowledge of local terrain, culture, and other dynamics,” Kindiki stated.
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The CS also affirmed that he had commissioned the pass out and deployment of NPRs in Isiolo County.
“136 NPRs have passed out for deployment throughout Isiolo County to protect local communities,” the CS added.
