Bandits attack leaders at meeting called to end road siege

Hundreds of people, including senior Turkana leaders, who were attending a peace meeting survived a daring gun attack on Sunday.

The leaders and residents of Kainuk who had gathered to deliberate on the opening of Kitale-Lodwar road, which had been closed for three days, came under attack from bandits alleged to be from the Pokot community.

Anti-Stock Theft police and Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) who was keeping vigil around the meeting attended by top security teams from Turkana and West Pokot counties repulsed the attackers.

The meeting was also attended by Turkana Senator John Munyes and Turkana South MP James Lomenen, among other local leaders.

No one was injured in the incident.

Insecurity cases

Irate youths on Friday blocked the busy road, protesting the numerous insecurity incidents that had brought fear among the locals.

"The locals accepted to open the road after a heated debate and let the over 500 passengers who have been camping at the trading centre for three days with plea to the Government to flush out bandits camping five kilometres near Kainuk," said Lomenen.

He alleged that the motive of the attack by the bandits was to disrupt the peace meeting and kill innocent passengers at the trading centre before robbing their valuables.

Turkana County Commissioner Julius Mathenge and West Pokot Police County Commander Charles Wasike, who were present during the security meeting, assured locals that quick steps would be taken to ensure that the region is safe from bandits.