Three people were killed in a banditry attack in Koitumo village in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Police spokesman Michael Muchiri said the attackers fled soon after the Monday afternoon incident.
He added they suspect the incident was a retaliatory attack, and the bandits fled with an unknown number of livestock during the raid.
Muchiri said they had sent more personnel to the ground to quell
any planned retaliation and track the attackers.
“Investigations into the attack are ongoing and we hope to get to the bottom soon,” he said.
According to officials, the retaliation follows the killing of a 17-year-old boy, who was shot dead on Monday afternoon when armed bandits ambushed herders along the Kerio River, local officials said.
Later in the evening, a second attack occurred, which authorities suspect was revenge. Two people were killed.
The bodies were later collected to the mortuary pending autopsy and other investigations.
This is the latest such incident in the area amid efforts to address the menace.
Last month, three people were killed by suspected bandits along the Tot-Kalowa road amid efforts to contain the menace.
The government has already deployed specialised units, including the military, Special Operations Group and the General Service Unit, to the North Rift region to tackle banditry.
In Marsabit, a gang stormed a watering point and attempted to
steal 80 goats. This prompted a gunfight with members of the National Police
Reserve who were present.
Police said the NPR team managed to repel the gang and recover all the goats stolen in the Sunday evening incident.
As part of its efforts to tame cattle rustling, the government launched an operation covering at least seven counties, including Turkana.
Launched in February 2023, Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift is a government security initiative that targeted escalating banditry, cattle rustling, and violence in nine counties including Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Marsabit, Laikipia, Isiolo, and Meru.
Hot spot areas in these counties were designated as “Disturbed” and
“Dangerous,” in the operation that brought together the National Police Service and the Kenya Defence Forces in a coordinated effort to restore
peace and stability in the region.
Several weapons have since been recovered in the operation.
