Suspected bandits have unleashed fresh attacks in Isiolo and killed two herders and a Kenya Police Reservist (KPR) in renewed attacks amid ongoing joint police and military operation in the neighbouring Turkana and West Pokot counties.
The trio were massacred yesterday at Mlango in Burat Ward by runaway assailants believed to have come from the neighbouring Samburu county.
The killings come days after two others were killed in Loruko area.
They also made away with the officer’s firearm.
“The situation is tense.” An officer told The Informer Media Group.
Area residents now want president William Ruto to extend the joint operation by the National Police Service (NPS) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to the area amid rising tension amongst rival communities.
In the last two weeks, at least ten people have been massacred by the blood thirsty bandits in the area.
The ongoing drought situation has precipitated resource conflicts between the pastoral communities who strike in search of water and pasture.
Meanwhile, security forces have intensified operation against bandits blamed for senseless killings targeting civilians and security officers in Turkana, West Pokot, Samburu, Laikipia, Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
However, the political leaders led by opposition chief Raila Odinga and civil society groups including the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) have faulted president Ruto’s deployment of KDF without approval from parliament as unprocedural.
LSK president Eric Theuri described the deployment of the KDF troops as “a serious threat” to national security and public order and threatened to move to court if the deployment of the military is not rescinded in three days through a correspondence addressed to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.
“The LSK is, therefore, concerned that the intended deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces to assist the police in dealing with the serious threat posed to national security, public order and safety is in clear violation of the Constitution as has been done by the government under the cover of public orders 1 and 2 of 2023.
“We also fault the public statement issued by the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Interior and National Administration on February 14, 2023, amending the operation contained in the Gazette notice to read ‘Police-Led with Assistance of the Military’ under Article 241 (3) (b) of the Constitution,” he said in the letter.
The LSK said they would move to court within three days if no action was taken. Mr Theuri demanded that the CS rescind the offending Gazette notice and regularise the operation by seeking prior approval of the National Assembly before deploying KDF officers in the troubled region.
“The attempt to restore peace unconstitutionally can only expose the valiant Kenyan men and women in the security sector to risks of personal culpability for actions not sanctioned by the Constitution. In light of the grave security situation in the affected areas, we trust that you will take the necessary and prompt action to regularise the operation.” Theuri said.