Motorists killed, others injured in Samburu bandit attacks

A suspect gets into a police vehicle at Archers Post in Samburu County after members of the public accused him of highway robbery, yesterday. PHOTO: MICHAEL SAITOTI/STANDARD

Two die after vehicle ambush and driver hospitalised as county commissioner says five attacks took place

By MICHAEL SAITOTI

Samburu, Kenya; Two people have been killed and scores others injured by bandits in Samburu County.

The two died after bandits ambushed their vehicle on their way to Isiolo from Leisamis over the weekend.

And yesterday, the bandits hit again attacking three vehicles along Wamba-Leratta road.

In one incident, the bandits shot a driver in the chest. He was rushed to Meru district hospital where he is admitted in serious condition. The bandits also waylaid a Methodist church vehicle that had just left Wamba mission hospital seriously injuring two people.

Samburu County Comissioner Wilfred Nyagwanga said five attacks took place during the weekend. “It is worrying because the bandits are very bold. There should be more police patrols along the road to Isiolo from Maralal and from Lesiamis,” he said.

Nyagwanga said the county director was in one of the vehicles attacked and was robbed of valuables. He said police have arrested a suspect who the public identified. He is being held at Archers Police Post as investigations continue.

Samburu Senator Sammy Leshore said that Wamba-Lerrata road has become a hot spot and attacks on motorists have been rampant.

Leshore called on the police to put up a post in the area.

“It is in the middle of nowhere and bandits strike at will. In fact the bandits are not in a hurry when they ambush motorists because the nearest police post is hundreds of kilometres away,” he said.

Samburu Governor Moses Lenelkulal also condemned the killings saying the situation needs to be addressed with urgency.

Quick response

Lenelkulal said that Samburu East is a potential area for tourism due to the lodges that earn the county revenue but with increased attacks, tourists would keep off.

“Tourists are now scared because of insecurity and investors will stay away from the region,” he said.

John Lenkulate a resident who rushed to the rescue of victims in one of the attacked vehicles called on the Government to increase the number of Kenya Police Reservists (KPRs) and equip them with vehicles for rapid response. “

KPRs should be equipped with a vehicle so that they can swiftly respond when there is an attack,” he said.