Police in Baragoi, Samburu North Sub County are pursuing cattle rustlers who made away with 65 cattle on Monday.
The cows, stolen in Charda village a few kilometres from Baragoi town were driven into the infamous Suguta valley by heavily armed bandits at around 6pm.
Confirming the incident, Samburu county police Commander Karanja Muiruri said that one herder was shot and killed as he tried to fight off the bandits, while another one is nursing a gunshot wound on the leg at Baragoi hospital.
Muiruri said that police responded quickly and managed to recover four cows which were later given back to their owners.
“The raiders ambushed the herders as they were heading back home from a watering point. With the help or National Police Reservists (NPRs) we managed to recover four cows,” he said.
He added that five women reported missing after the incident have been found and reunited with their families.
“The women apparently got confused in the ensuing exchange of gunfire, during the incident and ran into the bush, but they were later found unharmed hiding in a cave between rocks by rangers who combed the area,” Muiruri added.
The police commander decried the rough terrain at Suguta valley but he expressed optimism that with the help of experienced NPRs they may recover the stolen livestock.
He also called on locals to volunteer useful information that would enable police deal decisively with law breakers.
By Robert Githu
