Four Dead, Two Injured in Bandit Attacks

The bandits attacked the area at around 11pm and made away with more than 5,000 animals.

Locals have urged the government to beef up security along the Pokot –Turkana border due to what they term as rampant attacks. 

Elsewhere, tension is high at Suyan village in Samburu after armed bandits shot and killed two people while seriously injuring two others on Tuesday night.

The incident that occurred at 10pm saw the bandits flee with over two hundred and fifty livestock.

The bandits injured six cows and three goats.

The residents want the government to step in and provide ample security in the areas and recover the stolen livestock.

The government had in February announced that it would embark on voluntary registration of civilian-owned firearms.

Internal Security Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery said the move is aimed at taming banditry and cattle rustling activities among the pastoralists communities.

CONFISCATE FIREARMS

Nkaissery ordered all civilians who own guns to register with the security officers in their areas lest their firearms be confiscated.

Nkaissery said that the government will not allow civilians who are not registered to continue holding firearms.

"As a government, we will not allow any civilian to hold a gun that is not registered. We need to know how many guns are out there."

"This is the only sure way to take the recurrent shame and threat of banditry and insecurity in our country," said the CS.

Deputy President William Ruto has said that the exercise will help in improving security by monitoring how each firearm is used.

The DP noted that cattle rustling and banditry activities can be eradicated if leaders demonstrate seriousness in the war against such activities.

Ruto urged leaders from pastoral areas to come up with new strategies and approaches in the fight against insecurity. 

WILLING SURRENDER

In January, the government, in conjunction with pastoralist communities, said it would launch a disarmament exercise in counties within Northern Kenya to recover illegal firearms.

Leaders from seven pastoralist communities had committed to work with the government to tame incidents of cattle rustling and insecurity in the semi- arid region.

Leaders at the meeting called on the government to assure residents of security once they willingly surrender the firearms.

According to the agreement, boundaries between warring communities will be reviewed with the aim of ending perennial clashes due to resources.

By Maureen Murimi.