Two police officers were among five people who were shot dead in a banditry attack in Gotu area, Isiolo county.
The incident left many shaken and demanding justice. It is the latest such incident of late amid operations to address banditry.
The deceased included two policemen attached to the Anti-Stock Theft Unit, a member of the National Police Reserve and two civilians.
The group was part of a team that was pursuing bandits who had stolen livestock when they were ambushed on Wednesday morning, police said.
Police responded to the scene long after the gunmen had left.
Eastern Regional Police Commander Stephen Chebet led a team to the area amid protests and demands for action to address the menace.
Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo condemned the attack, describing the incident as “deeply saddening and unacceptable,”.
Guyo said the continued loss of lives to armed banditry was causing fear, disrupting livelihoods and undermining peace in local communities.
The governor called on Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen and national security agencies to urgently strengthen security operations in Gotu and neighbouring areas.
He urged authorities to enhance patrols and intelligence gathering and take decisive action against those responsible for the attack.
“The people of Isiolo deserve to live and work in peace and security,” Guyo said.
He conveyed his condolences to the families of those killed and wished a quick recovery to those injured.
“We must act urgently and decisively to prevent further loss of innocent lives,” he added.
Incidents of cattle rustling have been on the rise in the area amid efforts to address the menace.
Most of the attackers invade the area from the neighbouring counties in this worrying trend despite heavy police deployment there.
Another gang had earlier shot and killed a herdsman during a cattle theft incident in Igembe Central, Meru county.
The incident occurred on September 15, 2026. Police established that more than 120 cattle had been stolen by the suspected bandits.
During the incident, one of the herdsmen, identified as Haron Mwira, was shot in the left knee.
He was rushed to Guardian Hospital in Kangeta for treatment but succumbed to his injuries due to excessive bleeding.
The deceased’s body was transferred to the Nyambene Sub-County Hospital mortuary, where it is awaiting autopsy.
Isiolo and Meru are 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 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.
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.
