Laikipia Bandits Sneak Into Heavily Guarded Area, Kill and Steal Cattle

One person was  shot dead on Wednesday, September 22 after armed bandits managed to slip past security officers in the heavily guarded Ol Moran area of Laikipia Conservancy.

The attack happened at Wangwaci are which is not only flooded with police officers but also national reservists.

According to the area Member of County Assembly (MCA) George Karuiru, the bandits also made away with cattle.

Police officers deployed to schools in Laikipia West on Monday, September 13.

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The incident comes barely days after the Rift Valley police boss George Natembeya declared a return of normalcy in the area after a successful flash-out campaign.

During the attack, police managed to subdue the bandits as they were outnumbered and out-skilled.

Police had launched the campaign after the bandits refused to heed orders to evacuate the conservancy after causing havoc to residents in the area. However, the bandits defied continued with the attacks.

They raided ranches, stealing cattle from ranch owners who are mostly foreigners. Punching above their weight, they even attacked police camps in the reserve, killing some and injuring others.

As a result, the government, through Interior CS Fred Matiang'i announced a 12-hour curfew in the region.

Shortly after the announcement, the bandits launched yet another attack, torching a store belonging to one of the schools. A more reinforced police unit was deployed to deal with the bandits.

Images captured by a drone operated by one of the local media stations showed the bandits retreating as most of them had lost their lives in combat with the officers.

Tiaty MP William Kamket was arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on September 8 in connection with the clashes in Laikipia. He has since been freed on bail. 

On Monday, September 20, four men armed with AK47 rifles raided Ewaso Police Patrol Base in broad daylight and made away with weapons in a well-oiled plan. At the time, only one police officer was manning the camp.

Rift Valley Regional Commissioner, George Natembeya

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