Police reservist shot and killed in bandit ambush in Isiolo

A National Police Reservist (NPR) officer was fatally shot while another sustained injuries during a fierce confrontation with armed cattle rustlers in Isiolo County following a livestock theft incident.

According to the police, the attack occurred in the early hours of Friday after suspected armed bandits raided the homestead at Kijiito village in Tigania East Sub-county and stole 56 head of cattle.

Police said NPR officers responded swiftly and tracked the attackers to the Alamach area near Mlima Napuseur, where a fierce exchange of fire erupted between the security team and the bandits.

The attackers were eventually repulsed and escaped in an unknown direction after abandoning part of the stolen livestock.

Authorities confirmed that 24 cows were recovered and returned to the owner at Alamach area, while efforts to recover the remaining animals continue.

However, tragedy struck when two NPR officers returned to collect their abandoned motorcycle along the Aremet–Mlango Road near Lowangishu Hill.

The two officers reportedly walked into an ambush staged by the bandits.

Henry Longor was fatally shot and sustained multiple gunshot wounds across the body, while his colleague suffered a gunshot injury to the left side of the stomach, with ammunition lodged inside his body.

The injured officer was rushed to the Isiolo County Referral Hospital where he is admitted in stable condition.

The body of the slain officer was moved to the same hospital’s mortuary awaiting postmortem examination.

Police also confirmed that the attackers stole a G3 rifle loaded with 40 rounds of ammunition belonging to the deceased officer.

Another G3 rifle belonging to a fellow NPR officer was later recovered near the scene.

Security agencies have launched a manhunt for the attackers as operations to recover the remaining stolen cattle and the missing firearm continue.

The area is among those under a special operation to tame cattle rustling menace.

The operation has managed to contain crime in the area and other counties amid persistence.

The operation targets 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 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.

He said plans to distribute subsidized agricultural inputs and extension services to area residents in a bid to revive farming activities as a source of livelihood.

“We are coming to dismantle not only the criminals themselves but also to bring down the entire chain that has been the cattle and livestock rustling industry,” he said.

He also announced a new policy shift, which institutionalizes the command structure of the NPR officers, stating they will hence be under the direct command of the Officer Commanding Police Stations (OCS) as part of efforts to enhance their operations.

The attacks have affected development at large. Most of the stolen animals are driven to urban centres and in particular where they are slaughtered and sold as products.