A police officer was injured when a mobile patrol team was ambushed by suspected Turkana bandits in Isiolo County on Monday.
The incident occurred at about 12.35pm in the Kakili area of Burat Ward, Isiolo North Sub-County, during a patrol by officers from the Anti-Stock Theft Unit based at Kisima.
Police said the team came under attack from suspected bandits, triggering a fierce exchange of fire.
During the gunfight the constable of police sustained an injury to his right foot.
He was rushed to Galaxy Hospital, where he was receiving treatment and was reported to be in stable condition.
A reinforcement team comprising officers from the Isiolo Operations Team, Kenya Police Service officers from Kulamawe and two National Police Reservists from Burat.
The reinforcement team managed to contain the situation, according to the police report.
The suspected bandits fled on foot towards the Lepororong Hills as security officers pursued efforts to secure the area.
Police said normalcy had been restored in the area following the incident, while investigations and security operations continued.
This is the latest such incident to happen in the area amid escalation of attacks by bandits.
The area is 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.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba 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.
He said plans to distribute subsidized agricultural inputs and extension services to area residents in a bid to revive farming activities as a source of livelihood.
Murkomen ordered fresh vetting for all National Police Reservists (NPRs) as part of efforts to bolster the operations.
He said plans to distribute subsidized agricultural inputs and extension services to area residents in a bid to revive farming activities as a source of livelihood.
“We are coming to dismantle not only the criminals themselves but also to bring down the entire chain that has been the cattle and livestock rustling industry,” he said.
He also announced a new policy shift, which institutionalizes the command structure of the NPR officers, stating they will hence be under the direct command of the Officer Commanding Police Stations (OCS) as part of efforts to enhance their operations.
The attacks have affected development at large. Most of the stolen animals are driven to urban centres and in particular where they are slaughtered and sold as products.
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