Police have recovered 640 goats and sheep that were stolen by rustlers in an attack where a herder was gunned down at Yaqbarsadi grazing area in Kinna Ward of Isiolo County.
Confirming the incident, Isiolo County Commissioner Mr. Geoffrey Omoding said swift response by the National Police Reservists resulted in recovery of all the 640 goats and sheep that belonged to three families in the area.
He also confirmed that a 52 year old herder was shot at close range and died on the spot before the bandits fled with the livestock in the late evening raid at the grazing field.
The administrator said the bandits, believed to be from Samburu East Sub County, escaped with injuries following exchange of fire with the NPRs.
He urged chiefs and their assistants to make available any tangible information on the suspects who could be hiding in their areas of jurisdiction in a bid to help the security men conduct a comprehensive investigation that may lead to arrest of the culprits.
He said that criminals should be dealt with without mercy since the government had been spending a lot of resources to maintain security yet they have been threatening the effort.
“Criminals should be apprehended ruthlessly and with vigour since they could be out to test the government’s muscle at the expense of innocent wananchi’s life and property,” said Omoding.
He said the criminals were lucky to have escaped an ambush laid by the security personnel adding they would be apprehended by all means.
He added the government has put up a permanent Anti-Stock Theft Unit at Mlango area which is prone to banditry attacks and residents could now go about their business without fear of attack.
By Abduba Mamo
