Protest after bandits kill man, 24, in Salama, Laikipia County

Police officers on patrol in Wangwaci village after suspected bandits shot dead a man during a raid in Laikipia West on September 22, 2021. [Kennedy Gachuhi, Standard]

Suspected bandits on Wednesday night shot and killed a 24-year-old man at Salama village in Laikipia west.

After shooting Mr Ndiritu Waihiga, they made away with an unknown number of sheep which have since not been recovered.

The deceased died while receiving treatment at Nyahururu county hospital.

On Thursday, angry residents staged a demonstration protesting escalating cases of insecurity in the area that led to the death of the deceased.

They said the cases are occasioned by suspected armed livestock raiders who have in the recent past caused mayhem as they were invading people's homes and making away with their animals.

Protestors from Muruku, Kiriko, Ngano-Ino, Kianjogu and Kieni villages matched to Salama location Chief's office to flush him out for failing to listen to their grievances.

The protests paralysed business activities at the Salama Shopping centres as operators joined in the protests.

Laikipia Senator John Kinyua and Nyahururu Sub County Deputy Commissioner Ndambuki Muthike had a hard time calming down the protestors who also took issues with the area chief, whom they accused of negligence.

The residents claimed that efforts to seek help from the chief anytime such cases were reported, no action was being taken and their cries always fell on deaf ears.

"This is the third case of a shooting incident in the last month. For how long will we be burying innocent lives due to these banditry attacks" posed Jane Nyokabi.

She called on the government to put up more police stations in the region as well as deploy more police officers.

However, the leaders managed to cool the tension and also promised to push for the government to ensure the safety of the local people.

Senator Kinyua, underscored the need to have a deployment of National Police Reservists, whom he observed were better placed to deal with the armed raiders who have been terrorizing innocent residents.

"This is the only way that we can have this problem solved once and for all. We will work hand in hand with the national government to make this happen" he noted.

He noted that it was unfortunate to see innocent people suffer from crimes perpetrated by immigrants adding that no one should be made to live in fear in his or her legally acquired land.

On his part, the DCC promised to ensure that normalcy returns in the area as they pursue the attackers.