Death toll in Samburu attack now at 37

What you need to know:

  • It is one of the worst attacks on security forces in many years
  • Seven bodies were discovered on Monday in a thicket in Baragoi division of Samburu County, bringing to 37 the number of security forces killed in the Saturday ambush.
  • The Turkana gang ambushed a combined force of General Service Unit personnel, Rapid Response Unit, Anti-Stock Theft Unit and regular and administration police officers who had gone to Lomirok to recover stolen animals.

The death toll in Saturday’s bandit attack on police in Baragoi, Samburu County, rose to 37 after more bodies were discovered.

Thirty of the dead were said to be police officers while seven were homeguards. Six police officers are missing.

Some of the bodies were flown to Nairobi as the parliamentary committee on security called on the government to respond forcefully to the attack by suspected Turkana cattle rustlers.

It is one of the worst attacks on security forces in many years. Eight officers died in another attack on security personnel in Tana River in September, prompting a massive security operation in the area. (READ: 8 policemen killed as Tana death toll rises to 40)

A commission of inquiry is investigating the raid. (SEE IN PICTURES: Police injured in Samburu)

Seven bodies were discovered on Monday in a thicket in Baragoi division of Samburu County, bringing to 37 the number of security forces killed in the Saturday ambush.

However, according to police sources, the total number of the law enforces who died during the attack at Lomirok village is 30. The others are Samburu homeguards.

“We still have six more officers missing,” a source told the Daily Nation by telephone from Baragoi.

Military helicopters were called to help in the search and rescue mission. The attack too place near the Suguta valley, a harsh and dangerous area.

Rift Valley PC Osman Warfa, who led a team of top regional security committee members, declined to discuss the issue.

Mr Warfa rushed to the area in a police chopper accompanied by Rift Valley provincial police officer, John M’Mbijiwe.

They first held a closed door meeting in Baragoi before flying back to Nakuru.

The Turkana gang ambushed a combined force of General Service Unit personnel, Rapid Response Unit, Anti-Stock Theft Unit and regular and administration police officers who had gone to Lomirok to recover stolen animals.

They had driven into the village accompanied by Samburu homeguards to recover more than 450 heads of cattle Turkana raiders had stolen.

On Monday, community leaders in Turkana said during the encounter between the security forces and rustlers, four people from the village were injured.

“The injured have already left the village and they are now in the bush to avoid arrest,” one of the leaders told Daily Nation by phone.

Most of the members of the Turkana community in Baragoi have fled, fearing reprisals after 12 Samburu were killed in an earlier incident.

The Samburu had on October 30 decided to go to Lomirok to recover the 450 cattle the Turkanas raiders had stolen from them on October 20. They were ambushed by the Turkana and 12 Samburu morans (warriors) killed. (READ: 12 dead in Samburu livestock raid)

Tension remained high in Baragoi with leaders calling on the Government to devise another method of fighting cattle rustlers.

“The killing of the security officers is a clear indication that police are inadequately prepared to handle such cattle rustlers.

"We need a special police force for this - even if it means restructuring the Kenya Police Reservists,” Hilary Halkano who works with a NGO in the northern Kenya region said in a statement.

He said it is the Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) locally known as homeguards - who normally recovers stolen animals since they know the terrain of the area.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority announced it would investigate the operation and why it went wrong.

“The Board is extending its deep felt condolences to families of the slain officers and wish quick recovery to the injured officers,” a statement from the authority said.

Mr Fred Kapondi, Mt Elgon MP and chairman of the National Security committee said the attackers should be made to “feel the heat” of decisive government action.

“The government should come out in full force. Let the bandits feel the heat. Let them feel the strong arm of the law,” said Mr Kapondi at a press conference at Parliament Buildings.

He urged the government not to pay attention to expected complaints from leaders in Baragoi if strong action is taken.