According to police, the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when about 20 armed bandits raided the home of a local resident, Gitonga Mbatia, with the intention of stealing livestock.
A security team led by officers from the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) and anti-crime personnel responded to the attack.
Authorities say a fierce exchange of fire ensued between the attackers and National Police Reservists (NPR) from the area.
During the confrontation, two suspected bandits were shot dead.
Police believe several other attackers who managed to escape sustained gunshot injuries.
The fleeing group was tracked toward the Tasia Hills area in the direction of neighboring Laikipia County.
The bodies of the two deceased suspects were moved to Isiolo Level IV Hospital mortuary for preservation and further identification.
Meanwhile, a 36-year-old man was shot and killed by fleeing bandits in a village in Rumuruti, Laikipia County.
Police said the incident happened on May 6 at dawn on the Rumuruti-Maralal road.
Bernard Kipchirchir was on the road and on the phone when a gang that was driving away stolen livestock approached him.
Witnesses said one of the gunmen shot and killed the man unprovoked.
They thought he was making a call and alerting authorities of the incident. The gunmen had stolen 15 cows from a homestead in the area and were escaping when the incident happened.
Police said they managed to drive away the animals, and efforts to trace them continued on Wednesday.
The body of the deceased was moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy and other procedures.
The area is among those under a special operation aimed at addressing the cattle rustling menace.
The operation has led to the reduction of the incidents at large, officials said.
More security personnel have been sent to the area to back up the ongoing operation, which has seen a recovery of dozens of weapons and ammunition.
The area is among those under Operation Maliza Uhalifu aimed at dealing with bandits.
The operation has managed to contain crime in the area and other counties amid persistence.
The operation targets Meru, Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit, Meru, and Isiolo counties.
Besides retributive reaction, strategic investment and sustainable development have also taken a prominent place among the government’s planned crime control interventions for Kenya’s Northern frontier and the Kerio Valley belt.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the long-term vision is to empower the communities to actively take part in the war against animal rustling and undertake legitimate nation-building activities.
He said he plans to distribute subsidized agricultural inputs and extension services to area residents in a bid to revive farming activities as a source of livelihood.
Murkomen ordered fresh vetting for all National Police Reservists (NPRs) as part of efforts to bolster the operations.
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