At least two people were killed, and three others were left injured after armed individuals reportedly attacked a lorry that was ferrying livestock from Samburu to Isiolo County.
While confirming the incident, Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo revealed that the tragedy occurred on Thursday, January 15, around 5.30pm, while the victims were transporting livestock from Lolkuniyiani Market.
According to the governor, during the incident, the gunmen, who are believed to be Samburu bandits, escaped with twelve heads of cattle that were inside the lorry.
"At around 1730 hours, unknown armed bandits attacked a lorry transporting livestock from Lolkuniyiani Market, located between Sapashe and Lerata in Samburu County, en route to Isiolo," Guyo revealed.
He went on to add, "During the attack, two people lost their lives, and three others sustained injuries. The assailants escaped with twelve heads of cattle."
Reports indicate that the two individuals died on the spot, while the rest sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital. Among those killed was a minor.
Guyo condemned the attack, calling on the relevant county and national security agencies to launch a manhunt for the perpetrators and bring them to book.
"We strongly urge the Samburu County security team, in collaboration with all relevant national security agencies, to expedite investigations, pursue the perpetrators, and take decisive action," Guyo demanded.
The incident took place even as the government continues to implement a multi-agency strategy to combat banditry in the North Rift regions, particularly in Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Isiolo.
In a similar incident on December 24, last year, two people were seriously injured following an alleged banditry attack along the Kom-Isiolo road in Isiolo County.
The victims were travelling from Kom to Isiolo when armed assailants reportedly opened fire on their vehicle, leaving two occupants with gunshot wounds.
Initial reports suggested that the attackers could have been from Samburu County, but members of the Samburu community strongly questioned the allegations, calling for evidence to substantiate claims linking them to the attack.
