Two primary school children and an adult were among three people killed in Koitumo, Marakwet East, on Monday night.
According to police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the three were killed in a suspected bandit attack.
Police say the incident was a retaliatory attack, and the bandits fled with livestock during the raid.
The retaliation follows the killing of a 17-year-old boy, who was shot dead on Monday afternoon when armed bandits ambushed herders along the Kerio River, local officials said.
The attackers struck as the herders led their cattle to the river for water.
Gunmen opened fire indiscriminately, forcing the group to flee. One bullet fatally struck Longoria Krop, killing him on the spot, according to authorities.
The assailants, suspected to be from Elgeyo Marakwet, then seized the livestock and drove them towards Marakwet East.
Later in the evening, a second attack occurred, which authorities suspect was an act of retaliation.
Authorities have yet to confirm any arrests or the recovery of the stolen cattle.
This incident is part of a series of violent attacks in the region. Last month, three people were killed by suspected bandits along the Tot-Kalowa road, raising significant security concerns.
In December last year, President William Ruto emphasised the need for spiritual interventions alongside governmental efforts to combat banditry.
He stated, "We are also spiritual beings. There is a lot of work we can do as the government through the powers bestowed on us, but there are those who need powers beyond us. And that is why we invite God.”
The government has already deployed specialised units, including the Special Operations Group and the General Service Unit (GSU), to the North Rift region to tackle banditry, but incidents are once again on the rise.
