Kenyan cattle rustlers kill 32 in gunfight

Thirty two people were killed on Tuesday by cattle rustlers in Laikipia North District.

Witnesses said the raiders, from Baringo East, attacked a manyatta at Kanampiu House area at dawn.

The raiders surrounded Naibor Administration Police camp and engaged security officers in an exchange of fire, allowing another group of about 150 to storm the manyatta in an attempt to steal 10,000 head of cattle belonging to Samburus herding in the area.

Laikipia North DC Amos Mariba said 21 villagers, among them children and women, were killed by the raiders while homeguards killed eight raiders.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Sharrif Abdalla said in Nakuru that among the dead were three women and eight children.

Another three attackers, identified as Pokots, died during the exchange of fire with police officers.

Mr Mariba said security forces sealed off the battle zone, forcing the raiders to abandon the cattle and flee.

Twelve people who were injured in the attack were taken to Maralal district hospital.

Six men, three women and three children are nursing the wounds and injuries at the hospital. According to the medical superintendent, Dr Samuel Wachira, three of the patients are in bad condition and have been transferred to the Rift Valley provincial general hospital.

Patients interviewed by the Nation said the early morning attack caught them by surprise.

“We just heard one shot and when we rushed out, we saw people firing at us. I was hit and fell down unconscious,” said Mr Brain Leparsian.

Common target

Mr Elkana Dakasia, 50, who was taking care of his brother, said they got information about the impending attack and informed government officials but their reports were not taken seriously.

Local councillor Jeremiah Lemeroni, Rumuruti Town Council chairman Joseph Suge and nominated councillor Peter Saina called on the government to take action to get rid of illegal firearms in the area.

During the 5am attack, the APs called for reinforcements from the nearby Laikipia Nature Conservancy, where plans are under way to hold a sports-for-peace event this Friday.

The area is also prone to banditry on the roads and prominent personalities, motorists and passengers have become common targets.

Earlier in the year, the then Rift Valley PC Hassan Farah established a permanent security buffer zone separating the Samburu and Pokot, resulting in some truce.

The drought has forced the two communities to head in opposite directions in search of pasture, with the Samburu going to Mount Kenya.

Insecurity has seen the Samburu families residing at PND Farm move towards Rumuruti and have since created a camp where 2,800 people live. Mr Omariba, Samburu West DC Joseph Mathenge and Laikipia West DC Ombaso Sagero visited the scene of the attack.

Also killed were 40 head of cattle, 20 goats and 30 sheep.

Reporters on the ground said they saw bodies strewn everywhere as three district commissioners coordinated a security operation after the attack.

Internal Security assistant minister Orwa Ojodeh, permanent secretary Francis Kimemia, and Laikipia West MP Nderitu Mureithi arrived at the village shortly before 4pm.

The villagers, who were attacked settled in Kanampiu two weeks ago, having moved out of their homes in Loroki and Oldonyiro divisions of Samburu West and Isiolo districts respectively, due to the drought.

Mr Sharrif said a combined team of anti-stock theft unit, regular and administration police was looking for the raiders.