Policemen among five killed in rustling attack

By Peter Ochieng and Wilberforce Netya

Turkana, Kenya: Five people, among them two Administration Police officers, have been killed in clashes at Kalimurok, Turkana South District.

More than 3,000 animals were allegedly stolen during the incident.

The heavily armed bandits made away with a submachine gun and three G3 riffles from the dead officers.

Area MP James Lomenen said the attackers raided several homes and later stormed Kalimurok trading centre.

“I am wondering when this kind of primitivity among our communities will come to an end. We as leaders of Turkana and Pokot communities came up with solutions to cattle rustling and border conflicts but some people betrayed us,” said Lomenen.

IG visited

“These incidents are still happening because some people who were against the meetings between the two communities have selfish interests. What makes me wonder is that the incident happened even after Inspector General David Kimaiyo visited the area and assured residents that the security situation will be improved,” he added.

The MP regretted that the targeted areas were the same ones where Kimaiyo had recently disarmed Kenya Police Reservists.

“The KPR who have been protecting the residents from such attacks do not have firepower like the enemies,” he said.

The IG was recently quoted cautioning KPR officers from misusing firearms.

Area OCPD Paul Kuria said police had launched investigations into the incident.

“A combined contingent of officers has been deployed on the ground, especially in areas that were attacked. We are hopeful that we will bring to book the perpetrators and even recover the guns that include a powerful HK11 submachine gun,” said Mr Kuria.

“We have enough security officers on the ground including GSU personnel. We want to tell Kenyans that we are not going to relent until we get to the core of the matter,” he stressed.

Illicit brews

Meanwhile, four chiefs in West Pokot County have been sacked for allegedly abetting production and consumption of illicit brews in their areas of jurisdiction.

Peter Okwanyo, the county commissioner who sacked the four, said the four junior administrators worked in cahoots with illicit brewers thus promoting the vice instead of curbing it.

He pointed out that the chiefs, from Pokot Central, North and West, were also conducting the illicit brew trade through other people thus making it hard to apprehend those behind production of brews.

“They were alerting other perpetrators in case of an imminent police swoop,” said Okwanyo.