Three killed, six injured as livestock are stolen in Marsabit attack

At least three people were Sunday shot dead in Forole area, Marsabit County, in an attack by suspected Ethiopian militia.

The incident happened when the militia stole unknown number of livestock from Kenya and crossed to Ethiopia, officials said.

Marsabit County Police Commander Steve Oloo said six other people were injured in the attack along the Kenya-Ethiopia border. Two of them were in critical condition.

Oloo said two boys and a girl aged between 13 and 15 years were killed.

Reinforcement was sent to the area but the attackers had crossed into Ethiopia amid claims of slow response. A team of security agents had contacted their Ethiopian counterparts for help to reclaim the animals.

Such incidents are common at the border. Authorities have been making efforts to address the menace that is being encouraged by cultural practices and drought.

In Laikipia area, a police officer was killed in a cattle rustling incident. Gunmen believed to be livestock thieves ambushed a team of officers from Anti-Stock Theft Unit as they pursued the animals, shooting one officer.

A major operation was at the weekend mounted in the area to pursue the gang with about 100 animals as they headed towards Pokot area.

No recovery had been made by Sunday, but officials said there were casualties on the side of the rustlers.

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Marsabit attack