Three killed and five injured in gun battle with bandits in Samburu

Three people were killed and five others injured in Kalama, Samburu East sub-county.

The deaths occurred during a gun fight between security officers and cattle rustlers believed to have stolen livestock from Laikipia.

Samburu East OCPD Samwel Muthamia said the fight began Sunday morning as the officers attempted to recover stolen livestock.

The officer said they had received information that suspected cattle rustlers had stolen a herd of livestock from Laikipia and were heading towards Isiolo through Samburu East.

Mr Muthamia said together with the local administration and the Kenya Police Reservists, they pursued the rustlers and cornered them in Kalama.

"We ordered them to stop but instead, they opened fire. Three lives were lost and five people injured," he said. Among the injured was a local chief.

The injured were rushed to different health facilities including Wamba Mission Hospital in Samburu East sub-county and Cottage Hospital. The bodies were moved to a mortuary in Isiolo town. The OCPD, however, could not give fine details on whether those killed were officers or cattle rustlers.