Kanu leader Gideon Moi/FILEKANU chairman Gideon Moi has called for urgent government intervention in Gotu, Isiolo County, after five people were killed in a bandit attack.
Moi condemned the attack and called for those responsible to be arrested and held accountable as security agencies moved to the area following the Wednesday morning incident.
“We condemn the banditry attacks witnessed in Gotu, Isiolo County, earlier today, which resulted in the loss of five innocent lives and the theft of livestock,” Moi said.
The victims comprised two officers attached to the Anti-Stock Theft Unit, a member of the National Police Reserve and two civilians, according to police.
The group had been pursuing suspected livestock thieves when they were ambushed by armed attackers.
Moi said residents should be able to live and conduct their livelihoods without fear of attack. He urged the government to strengthen security in Gotu and neighbouring areas.
“The government must therefore take immediate and decisive action to restore security in Gotu and the surrounding areas and ensure that those responsible for these attacks are apprehended and held accountable under the law,” he said.
His remarks came as Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo separately called for urgent security intervention in Gotu, describing the area as a security hotspot.
Speaking in the Senate, Dullo said five people had been killed in the attack and asked authorities to take immediate action to protect residents.
“It’s a bit sensitive, and it’s urgent. We have three people killed this morning in Isiolo county. We have discussed, and I hope a serious intervention is going to be done, especially in the Gotu area. It’s a hotspot area. If we can have something there, we will really appreciate,” Dullo said.
Eastern Regional Police Commander Stephen Chebet led a security team to Gotu as authorities responded to the attack. Police said the suspected attackers had left the scene by the time responding officers arrived.
Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo also condemned the killings, describing the attack as “deeply saddening and unacceptable”.
Guyo called on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and other national security agencies to strengthen operations in Gotu and neighbouring areas, including through enhanced patrols and intelligence gathering.
Moi further urged security agencies to work with local leaders, elders, religious leaders and residents to restore calm and prevent retaliatory attacks.
He said addressing the tensions behind recurring insecurity was also necessary to prevent further loss of life.
Moi called for assistance for families affected by the Gotu attack and said efforts should be made to restore conditions that would allow residents to return to their homes and economic activities without fear.
