One of the two police officers killed in a bandit ambush in Gotu, Isiolo county, had served in Haiti for two years before returning to Kenya earlier this year, his colleagues have said.
Chief Inspector Aden Somo was among five people killed in an ambush by gunmen in Gotu on September 16, 2026.
His colleagues mourned him as a hardworking officer who commanded them professionally.
“He was a good officer, a respected leader, a mentor to many, and a man admired by everyone who knew him," one officer said.
"We have lost a brave and dedicated officer."
Also killed were police constable Bethwel Kibet, National Police Reservist Abdi Rahman and civilians Abdi Kadir Abdulahi and Billow Isaack.
The group was ambushed at the Merti-Losessia junction and shot dead.
The assailants picked up two weapons from the victims and escaped the scene.
The Anti-Stock Theft Unit team was pursuing a gang of bandits that was on a mission in the area when they were ambushed, police said.
Somo was the commander of the team when they were attacked.
He had left Haiti early this year after completing his tour, where he and others went to fight gangs that had threatened Port-au-Prince.
Police responded to the scene after the gunmen had left.
Eastern Regional Police Commander Stephen Chebet led a team to the area.
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 over 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.
Incidents of cattle rustling have been on the rise in the area amid efforts to address the menace.
Isiolo and Meru are among those under Operation Maliza Uhalifu, aimed at dealing with bandits.
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 communities to actively take part in the war against animal rustling and undertake legitimate nation-building activities.
On Wednesday, Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo condemned the bandit attack in Gotu.
Guyo described the incident as “deeply saddening and unacceptable,” saying the continued loss of lives to armed banditry was causing fear, disrupting livelihoods and undermining peace in local communities.
The governor called on 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.
