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One killed as gunmen raid Garissa village and steal livestock

Four people have been killed in an attack in Dadaab. (Photo: EV)

By Mary Wambui | Thursday, June 13, 2024

The long-standing conflict has been abetted by the presence of small and light weapons in the hands of civilians, which do not seem to reduce in supply despite multiple calls for surrender.

Security agencies are investigating a livestock theft incident by gunmen who invaded a village in Garissa county and shot two men leaving one dead and the other nursing injuries.

During the incident that occurred on Tuesday evening, the gunmen invaded the Hadun area, committed the attack, and left.

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"The attackers shot several rounds of ammunition, fatally injuring one person and seriously injuring another, then escaped towards the Garbatula area," a report filed at Benane police station said.

Police said the injured victim was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, while the deceased body was handed over to the family members for burial according to Islamic rites as they kicked off efforts to recover the stolen livestock.

The area has suffered a longstanding feud between one community in Isiolo and another in Garissa over boundaries and pastures.

Communities are currently replenishing following significant rains, that will be followed by a severe drought.

About three years ago, three locals were killed and a police reservist injured after about 70 gunmen attacked Kambi ya Samaki village in Garissa on April 12, 2021 Sunday afternoon.

Those killed included 18-year-old Burey Adow who was pregnant, Yerrow Mohamed Kaban, 80, and Adow Abdow, 86.

Noor Keinan Mohamed, a National Police Reservist, sustained a gunshot injury in the abdomen.

The long-standing conflict has been abetted by the presence of small and light weapons in the hands of civilians, which do not seem to reduce in supply despite multiple calls for surrender.

Last month the National Police Service appealed, again calling for the surrender of the weapons even as it emerged that some rogue officers were selling weapons to criminals as other cases of criminals robbing officers' firearms were getting reported.

"The National Police Service would like to launch an appeal to all persons holding illegal firearms to voluntarily surrender the same to security agencies, including police stations," NPS implored early last month.

On April 22, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome in a statement said a total of 2,658 ammunition had been recovered from the home of Josphat Maina Karanja in the Minjore area, Laikipia County following an intelligence-led raid that revealed that police officers have been selling bullets to criminals.

The suspect was arrested alongside his wife, Teresia Wairimu and arraigned at the Kibera law courts.

"Two more suspects namely; Chief Inspector Joel Warui Githaiga and Constable Martin Murimi from the Anti-Stock Theft Unit's Sondu Camp have also been arrested for the sale of ammunition to criminals," the IG said and announced that the officers have since been suspended from service.

"The service would like to caution members of the public from engaging in the unauthorised purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition instead, report any such criminal activities to the nearest police station or through our toll-free numbers," added the IG who vowed to take stern action against officers getting involved in such unethical conduct regardless of their ranks.