Bandits raid NPR camp in in Laikipia, kill police reservist
The assault occurred at the Seeki National Police Reserve camp in Mukogodo, where heavily armed attackers stormed the post and opened fire.
A deadly banditry attack in Laikipia’s Doldol area on Monday has left one police reservist dead and four others severely injured, raising fresh concerns over the persistent insecurity in northern Kenya despite ongoing government operations.
The assault occurred at the Seeki National Police Reserve camp in Mukogodo, where heavily armed attackers stormed the post and opened fire.
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The reservists engaged the bandits in a fierce two-hour gun battle while waiting for reinforcements. Police officers from Doldol Police Station eventually arrived, forcing the attackers to retreat.
During the confrontation, James Kaiyok Kwale was fatally shot, while four of his colleagues sustained serious bullet wounds and were rushed to the hospital.
Police suspect the attackers may have split up, with some possibly involved in livestock theft or preparing for a separate raid.
The motive behind the incident has not been confirmed, but authorities believe it is linked to the broader wave of cattle rustling and violent raids that have plagued Laikipia and neighbouring counties.
Security officials said the region remains part of an intensified multi-agency operation aimed at ending rampant banditry in northern Kenya. Areas under the operation include Samburu, Laikipia, Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Isiolo, Marsabit, and parts of Meru.
The government has acknowledged that while the frequency of attacks has dropped compared to previous years, the threat remains serious, especially in remote locations where reinforcement is delayed. The violence has also disrupted development projects and access to basic services in the affected regions.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen reiterated the government’s commitment to dismantling the networks fuelling the cattle rustling trade and supporting local communities with alternatives to crime.
“We are coming to dismantle not only the criminals themselves but also to bring down the entire chain that has been the cattle and livestock rustling industry,” he said.
He noted that the long-term plan involves economic empowerment, including the provision of subsidised agricultural inputs and extension services to revive legitimate livelihoods in the region.
“The long-term vision is to empower the communities to actively take part in the war against animal rustling and undertake legitimate nation-building activities,” Murkomen said.
Authorities have also increased security patrols and deployed additional resources to counter the threat, while appealing to residents to support the ongoing efforts to restore peace.
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