Five people killed, six others injured in fresh Samburu bandit attack

Five people have been shot dead, and six others are nursing gunshot wounds in yet another attack in Samburu County.

In the latest incident, armed raiders attacked the Kawap area of Baragoi in Samburu North, engaging locals in a heavy gun battle before driving away hundreds of cattle.

"Tunasikitika sana kuhusu hii vita ambayo inaendelea kwa sababu ndugu zetu wanauliwa, ng'ombe zetu zinachukuliwa,” Sam Lenduda, a family member, said.

His brother, Benard Ekai, added: "Watu wanauana hapa, ng'ombe unasikia imeenda. Kitu muhimu tungependa kuambia serikali ya Rais Ruto ni atuangalie."

The wounded are currently receiving treatment at Samburu Referral Hospital and Baragoi sub-county hospital.

The resurgence of cattle rustling is alarming, especially considering that the region had experienced relative calm over the past two years, following the deployment of special forces.

"Tunasikianga mkono wa serikali ni refu na tunaamini hivyo. Sasa tunaamini serikali inaweza fanya jambo kunyang'anya watu bunduki, waache kufanya hii mambo ya kuua watu na kunyang'anyana ng'ombe. Sababu hii bunduki ndio inatusumbua sana hii area yetu,” Jackson Lekarap, a resident said.

Security agencies have since launched a multi-agency operation to track down the attackers and recover the stolen livestock.