Motorist killed, another seriously wounded in banditry attacks in Turkwel

KAPENGURIA: A motorist was on Sunday shot dead while another one sustained serious gunshot injuries in separate banditry attacks along the volatile Turkwel border.

In the first incidence, bandits attacked a motorcyclist at Lami Nyeusi along the Kapenguria – Lodwar highway and shot at him on the head killing him instantly.

The armed bandits estimated to be more than 20 in number then tried to steal the motorbike before they were repulsed by police officers who responded to the incident that occurred at around 3pm.

Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto who was plying the route said the motorist was ahead of his car headed towards Kainuk and made several stops to fasten his luggage that kept falling as he rode.

"The deceased was ahead us riding on his bike and around three times he stopped to fasted his luggage which was constantly falling and lastly we overtook him only to hear that he has been gunned down shortly after," he said.

The incident happened about 20 meters ahead of a vehicle that was ferrying residents and three journalists including this writer to a peace function led by the Kapenguria legislator at Karon village in Turkwel George.

Two security officers abode the Land Cruiser vehicle sought for reinforcement and more police responded opening fire to the bandits who hid within the dense thickets on the sides of the road.

A heavy gunfire exchange that lasted about 45 minutes rend the air sending civilians in the vehicle scampering for safety as the enemies retaliated.

A battalion of police officers from the General Service Unit (GSU) also joined in the melee firing rocket propelled grenade towards the direction where the bandits ran to.

Transport was paralyzed along the highway for about four hours before the GSU officers cleared the route escorting motorists plying the route.

"We were heading to Lodwar to drill boreholes but we are now stuck and do not know how we will reach as insecurity continues to be a challenge along this route," said Patrick Simiyu, a motorist along the route.

In the second incidence, another motorist who was riding from Karon village was shot at three times sustain serious injuries on the thigh.

The heinous act occurred at about 7pm just as the MP and his entourage was heading back from the peace meeting at Karon.

Bandits sprayed bullets at the victim, Wilfred Lodis before GSU officers and National Police Reservists responded repulsing them away.

Tension remained high even as GSU and Administration Police trucks escorted residents from the peace function while the three journalists braved the ranting air to get the actions covered.

While injured motorist was referred to Kapenguria district hospital, the deceased was taken to the facility morgue.