Narok family in mourning after man killed during cattle raid

By Robert Mugo,

Mourning engulfed Keturo village in Angata Barikoi, Narok County, after suspected bandits raided the area, killing one man and stealing dozens of livestock.

According to the area chief, John Sadera, the armed raiders struck at around 6:30 PM on Tuesday, when most villagers were returning from their farms and livestock grazing fields. The attackers, estimated to be six in number, ambushed a group of young herders near the Keturo grazing zone, opening fire and scattering the animals.

“They shot one of the herders at close range. He died on the spot while trying to protect the animals,” said Chief Sadera.

“They then drove away 18 cows and 30 goats, heading toward the Tanzania border through the dense forest paths near Enkutoto.”

The slain herder has been identified as 26-year-old Lemayan Ole Nkaitoi, a father of two.

His grieving family described him as hardworking and peaceful.

“He loved his animals. He died defending them,” said his elder brother.

The attack has sparked outrage and fear among local residents, who say the area has seen repeated livestock thefts in recent months, often by criminals believed to cross the porous Kenya-Tanzania border with ease.

Efforts to recover the stolen animals have so far yielded no success.

Local security officers, accompanied by village elders, are said to be pursuing the raiders, but the rough terrain and proximity to the international border have complicated the operation.

Narok County Commissioner has yet to issue a formal statement, but sources within the local administration confirmed that additional security personnel may be deployed to the area.

Residents are now appealing to the government to boost border security and conduct coordinated operations with Tanzanian authorities to root out the cross-border bandit networks.