Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo/HANDOUTIsiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo has called for urgent security intervention in Gotu following a bandit attack that killed five people, including two security personnel.
Speaking in the Senate on Wednesday, Dullo singled out Gotu as a security hotspot and urged 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.
Her remarks came after two police officers were among five people shot dead in a banditry attack in Gotu area, Isiolo County.
The deceased included two officers attached to the Anti-Stock Theft Unit, a member of the National Police Reserve and two civilians.
According to police, the group was pursuing bandits who had stolen livestock when they were ambushed. Police responded to the scene after the gunmen had left.
Eastern Regional Police Commander Stephen Chebet led a security team to the area amid protests and demands for action to address the insecurity.
Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo condemned the attack, describing it as “deeply saddening and unacceptable”.
Guyo maintained that the continued loss of lives to armed banditry was causing fear, disrupting livelihoods and undermining peace in local communities.
He called on Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen and national security agencies to urgently strengthen security operations in Gotu and neighbouring areas, including through enhanced patrols and intelligence gathering.
“The people of Isiolo deserve to live and work in peace and security. We must act urgently and decisively to prevent further loss of innocent lives,” Guyo said.
He conveyed his condolences to the families of those killed and wished a quick recovery to those injured.
The latest attack comes amid a rise in cattle rustling incidents in the area despite efforts to address banditry.
On September 15, a herdsman was shot during a cattle theft incident in Igembe Central, Meru County. Police established that more than 120 cattle had been stolen.
The herdsman, identified as Haron Mwira, was shot in the left knee and later died from excessive bleeding while receiving treatment at Guardian Hospital in Kangeta.
Isiolo and Meru are among the counties covered by Operation Maliza Uhalifu, a government operation targeting banditry.
The operation also covers Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu and Marsabit counties.
The government has said its response to banditry includes security operations as well as longer-term interventions aimed at involving communities in addressing cattle rustling and supporting legitimate economic activities.
