One person was shot dead after armed bandits raided a Turkana settlement in Kalgumbe, Loiyangalani, Marsabit County, and stole more than 600 sheep and goats.
According to police, the attack occurred on October 13, 2026, at around 8.30pm after a National Police Reservist (NPR) officer reported hearing gunshots in the area.
The reservist rushed to the scene, where he reportedly found armed bandits suspected to be from a neighbouring community raiding a Turkana manyatta.
The attackers drove the stolen livestock towards the Lonjorin area of Samburu North, triggering an exchange of gunfire that left an adult man fatally shot.
A multi-agency security team subsequently proceeded to the area to pursue the suspected raiders and recover the stolen livestock, regional police commander Stephen Chebet said.
The area is among those covered by a special security operation targeting illegal firearms and banditry.
The operation targets Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit, Meru and Isiolo counties.
The operation has helped contain crime in the area and other counties, although security challenges persist.
Besides security operations, strategic investment and sustainable development have also featured among the government’s planned interventions to control crime along Kenya’s northern frontier and the Kerio Valley belt.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the long-term vision is to empower communities to participate actively in efforts to combat livestock theft and undertake legitimate nation-building activities.
He also announced a policy shift to place NPR officers under the direct command of Officer Commanding Police Stations (OCSs) to enhance their operations.
The attacks have affected development, with most of the stolen animals reportedly driven to urban centres, where they are slaughtered and sold.
