One police officer was shot dead while another was badly injured after unknown gunmen raided Lodokojek Police Post in Samburu and made away with four G3 rifles and an assortment of 197 rounds of ammunition during yesterday’s night attack.
Police sources told The Informer that the injured officer who survived the daring night attack is recuperating Maralal County Referral Hospital in critical condition.
“He has stabilised now. He sustained gunshot wounds in the stomach and the right hand.” Our source revealed.
The assailants are believed to have been riding on a motorcycle for easy escape.
Investigations by The Informer have established that the serial number of the stolen rifles are; FMP389229, FMP77096115, G3A36053620 and FMP391895.
The deceased officer has since been identified as Police Constable Joel Muchai while the injured officer is Constable Erick Miano.
The attack took place yesterday at 9pm.
The incharge of the police post, Sergeant Benard Leleur, said while he was at the shopping centre about 100m from the post he heard gunshots from the post and they rushed back where they found the two lying in a pool of blood in their houses.
Manhunt for the attackers is underway.
Samburu county and the neighbouring Laikipia, Isiolo, Baringo, West Pokot and Nandi counties have been experiencing spiraling insecurity attributed to banditry attacks and political incitement.
Last year, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i gave hundreds of herders from Isiolo, Samburu and Baringo who invaded private ranches in Laikipia County seven days to leave or they be forced out.
He also said the security forces will take over the 8,000-acre Kilimoni Farm to act as a buffer zone to keep off the herders, who he described as a source of insecurity.
He spoke when he met with local leaders in Naibor, Laikipia North and noted that security in the area cannot be restored until the pastoralists leave.
“I have today given these herders seven days to move out of this county failure to which we will move in and flush them out. No one is allowed to invade private land,” he said.