Massive crowds rally against banditry after Samburu MCA's killing

Sorrowful songs filled the air in Maralal on Monday, as hundreds of residents, led by Maa community leaders, staged a peaceful protest over the killing of Angata Nanyekie MCA Paul Leshimpiro.

The protesters waved placards with messages such as "The no. of widows, orphans and poor families is skyrocketing in Samburu" and "Samburu is also Kenya". They presented a petition to President William Ruto through the newly posted Samburu County Commissioner Onesmus Kyatha.

Leshimpiro was shot dead on Sunday at the Soit Pus area by suspected bandits from the neighbouring Tiaty Constituency in Baringo County.

Samburu County police boss Thomas Ototo said the MCA was on the way home with his driver when gunmen ambushed them on the Maralal -Baragoi highway. The driver escaped unhurt.

Members of the public and politicians take part in a peaceful march in Maralal, Samburu County, on February 26, 2024, in protest against rising insecurity following the killing of Angata Nanyekie MCA Paul Leshimpiro. (Photo: Narok GPS)

In his address to the protesters, Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit said the killing demonstrated the escalating threat of banditry despite a government operation to flush out criminals and restore peace.

Lelelit asked President William Ruto to urgently address their demands as stated in a petition from the Maa community, comprising the Samburu and Maasai.

"We have presented a petition to the President asking him to revise the government's strategy in the ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu to prevent the further loss of lives," he said.

Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku addresses the public during a peaceful march in Maralal, Samburu County, on February 26, 2024, in protest against rising insecurity following the killing of Angata Nanyekie MCA Paul Leshimpiro. (Photo: Narok GPS)

Governors Patrick Ole Ntutu (Narok) and Joseph Ole Lenku (Kajiado) also appealed to the President to work on a lasting solution to the insecurity.

Maa Parliamentary Group chair and Narok East MP Ken Aramat condemned the killing of the MCA and the long-standing rivalry that has resulted in many attacks, saying the perpetrators must be found and serious action taken against them.

"The government should take seriously its role to safeguard the people and their property, which is a constitutional right," he said.

Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku addresses the public during a peaceful march in Maralal, Samburu County, on February 26, 2024, in protest against rising insecurity following the killing of Angata Nanyekie MCA Paul Leshimpiro. (Photo: Narok GPS)

Ototo said the police were searching for suspects. The body was taken to the Samburu County Referral Hospital mortuary.

Politicians lead a peaceful march in Maralal, Samburu County, on February 26, 2024, in protest against rising insecurity following the killing of Angata Nanyekie MCA Paul Leshimpiro. (Photo: Narok GPS)

The protesters later proceeded to the county assembly, where their leaders addressed the press on the increasing insecurity along the Longewan-Malaso-Morijo belt, where, they said, thousands of livestock have been stolen and 72 people killed in the last two years in cases of cattle rustling and banditry.