by Ali Abdi
Joint security forces in Isiolo have killed two suspected bandits.
The security team Commander, Anthony Kamitu, said one suspect was gunned down near Mutuati in Igembe North last Friday after about 20 bandits raided a village and stole livestock. The security officers have been deployed in Isiolo and neighbouring districts ahead of the impending disarmament.
Mr Kamitu, who is from the GSU, said the suspect from Samburu East was killed after the bandits engaged the officers at Gachuru and Shaba Hills in a shootout. No gun was recovered from the suspect.
He said the officers recovered all stolen animals, adding that security had been beefed up along the Isiolo, Tigania East, Igembe North and Samburu East borders.
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"We have enough security personnel in the affected areas and any group that thinks they will steal animals and get away with it are day dreaming,’’ said Kamitu.
Shootout
Isiolo East DO Mike Wangila said police killed another suspected bandit near Shaba Hills in Igembe North on Saturday following a shootout between the suspects and police.
In a related development, Isiolo residents have surrendered 10 more assorted rifles and 15 bullets to the authority since the beginning of the New Year.
Isiolo OCPD Augustine Thumbi said more residents were rushing to hand over illegal weapons following Internal Security Minister George Saitoti’s extension of the amnesty deadline to January 20.
‘’We had a slight disruption over the Christmas festivities, but the locals are coming in large numbers to surrender illegal weapons in their possession,’’ said Mr Thumbi.
Prof Saitoti visited Isiolo District last Monday along with his PS Francis Kimemia.
Saitoti, who was hosted by his Livestock Development counterpart Mohammed Kuti, said the Army and joint police personnel would carry out a forceful disarmament operation in all hot spots after the expiry of the January 20 deadline.
He said Uganda and Ethiopia would carry out a similar operation along their borders with Kenya.
Mr Kimemia said the operation would be carried out in five regions where rustling, banditry and clan related conflict are on the rise. The Isiolo-Samburu-Marsabit-Meru is one such region that is targeted.
