Boy, 10, shot dead as bandits strike again in Turkana

Armed bandits Tuesday shot dead a 10-year-old boy in renewed attacks in Turkana East.

The assailants, armed with AK47 rifles, raided Lokwamosing village in Lokori/Kochodin Ward.

The early dawn attack overcasts peace talks among Turkana, Baringo and West Pokot counties whose leaders have been seeking an end to the hostilities at their borders.

Turkana County Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi said that four people were injured during the 3am raid.

"The bandits also managed to drive away an unknown number of livestock. The injured were taken to nearby Lokwamosing dispensary where there are being treated," Ndanyi said.

He said that security officers have been deployed in the area to track down the bandits and recover the stolen livestock.

Lokori/Kochodin Ward Administrator Simon Nakilau told Standard Digital that lack of armed police reservists made it easy for the bandits to attack the village and drive away livestock.

Nakilau said that the villagers were vulnerable to attacks as both the police reservists and locals had surrendered firearms as ordered by authorities.

"The villagers are purely pastoralists and if the livestock won't be recovered they will be staring at hunger and starvation as they will lack a source of livelihood," he said.

He noted that the livestock stolen include camels, cows, goats and sheep.

Locals leaders led by Senator Malachy Ekal and Turkana East MP Mohammed Ali Lokiru have asked the State to provide adequate security to Turkana villages near the border with Baringo and West Pokot counties.

Prof Ekal said that it was the jurisdiction of the national government to protect its citizens and their property.

"Instead of enjoying relative peace and security after we recently held a peace meeting at Kapedo that was attended by Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya and governors from North Rift region, we are experiencing unending attacks. Police must do their work," the Senator said.

Lokiru asked Natembeya to clamp down on leaders fuelling animosity.