Bandits kill three people along West Pokot-Turkana border

Police officers at the scene where a police reservist was shot dead by bandits at the Kiambogo area in Laikipia West on July 15, 2023. [James Munyeki, Standard]

Suspected bandits shot dead three people at Kamunono sub-location along the border of West Pokot and Turkana counties.

West Pokot County Commissioner Apollo Okello said five bandits ambushed a motorcyclist ferrying two people from Kasei to Romos in Kaplon and sprayed them with bullets.

The deceased are a couple and their farm worker.

"The bandits shot at them, killing them on the spot. Those killed were Lomerikel Peter, a resident of Chespen, Job Juma, from Mwisho farm Chepchoina, and Daisy Chopokamai, a resident of Chespen and a native of the Ortum area," he said.

He noted that movement of people between Kasei and Morita has not been interrupted after police were deployed to beef up security.

West Pokot County police commander Peter Kattam said police officers have launched a manhunt for the bandits who killed three people on Monday.

"Unfortunately, the cause of the shooting is not known because the deceased were just passing by heading to their normal errands," he said.

He appealed to residents not to retaliate, saying the security team was tracking the suspects.

"The days of bandits are numbered. We would not allow them to continue killing people and escaping scot-free. We have laid strategies on how to control the situation," he said.

Sonkok area chief Joseph Korkimul revealed that there has been an exchange of fire between police officers and bandits as tension continues to rise in the area.

"We are working together with police officers, although we have challenges accessing remote areas where there are no roads," he said.