One person was killed and two police officers injured following a shootout between security officers and armed herders in Wangwashe area, Kirima Sub-County, Laikipia County.
The incident occurred on November 7, 2026, after a joint team of Kenya Police Service officers and National Police Reservists (NPR) responded to a distress call over the alleged invasion of privately owned farms by armed Pokot herders.
According to police, the herders had allegedly driven approximately 2,000 head of cattle into farms covering an estimated 1,000 acres, prompting complaints from members of the public over illegal grazing.
The officers, who arrived at the scene at around 2pm, encountered approximately 50 armed herders who reportedly confronted them before opening fire.
The officers returned fire, triggering an exchange of gunshots that left one of the herders dead at the scene. The other members of the group reportedly fled, abandoning the deceased’s body.
Two officers sustained injuries during the incident. The two officers were rushed to Ol Moran Sub-County Hospital, where they received treatment and were later discharged in stable condition.
Meanwhile, all firearms carried by officers who participated in the operation, including those who fired and those who did not, were withdrawn and secured for ballistic examination to establish their possible involvement in the shooting.
The identity of the deceased herder had not been established by Sunday, with his body still at the scene awaiting retrieval and transfer to a mortuary for preservation and post-mortem examination.
No arrests had been made by Saturday evening, with police citing the hostile security situation that made it difficult to safely apprehend suspects.
Investigations are underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation, identify the deceased, recover and document exhibits, and verify reports of the alleged farm invasion and livestock numbers.
Police said the immediate situation had been brought under control but warned that the area remained a security concern due to the presence of large numbers of livestock and the possibility of retaliatory attacks or further confrontations.
Security monitoring and follow-up operations are expected to continue to prevent further farm invasions and maintain public order.
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