Four police officers among six people killed by bandits in Turkana

Four police officers are among six people who lost their lives in a bandit attack on the Kitale - Lodwar highway at Kaakong area of Turkana County on Friday at 4pm.

Seven police officers, including a sub-county Police Commander, are nursing gunshot wounds after being ambushed by bandits in a gunfight that lasted hours into the night.

The fierce gunfight was recorded by a passenger in a vehicle that was part of a convoy of vehicles escorted by police, and showed bandits numbering about 300 in the bush.

In a police report seen by Citizen TV, the bandits ambushed the officers in two groups, five kilometres from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) camp.

A gun battle ensued and raged for over two hours leaving three officers dead, one missing and eight injured, including three senior officers who were leading the operation. The body of a policeman was found on Saturday evening.

The report also disclosed that three land cruisers, among other vehicles, used by the officers had their tyres deflated, and suffered significant damage after being razed down by bandits when police disembarked to pursue them in the bushes.

Turkana County Commander Samuel Ndanyi said that despite the exchange, his officers managed to recover a mobile phone, 31 rounds of ammunition, cash, a solar panel and footwear belonging to the bandits.

The injured officers were treated at Kainuk dispensary before being referred to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, for specialised treatment.

Banditry along the highway is on the rise with several motorists and passengers shot dead and robbed off their veluables over the last month.

The latest incident involved the killing of three people, including a high school student, that happened along the same spot.

They were on board a Lodwar-bound public service vehicle that started its journey in Kitale.

Transport along the highway remains paralysed and businesses in towns dotting it remain shut for fear of bandit attacks.