Suspected bandit killed in shootout with security officers in Meru

A suspected bandit was fatally wounded during a gunfight between security officers and armed men at Njaroine grazing area in Mutuati, Meru County.

The shootout, which occurred on November 10, reportedly involved Borana and Meru National Police Reservists (NPR) officers and armed men believed to be from the Samburu community.

Police said the exchange of gunfire lasted several minutes and left one suspected bandit fatally injured.

A joint patrol team comprising Kenya Police Service (KPS) officers and NPR personnel returned to Mutuati Police Station on Wednesday after visiting the scene.

The team recovered the body of an unidentified middle-aged man believed to be of Samburu origin, who had sustained gunshot wounds on the left side of his body.

The remains were moved to Maua Level Five Hospital mortuary, where they are being preserved pending identification and a postmortem examination.

Police said no injuries were reported among the security officers during the confrontation.

The area has been experiencing a surge in banditry amid efforts to address the same.

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.

checkout;