NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 20 — As the operation to flush out bandits in the North Rift got underway on Friday, gun-toting gangs have continued to defy authorities wreaking havoc in the region that has suffered decades of violence.
In just three days, bandits have carried out attacks in Samburu and Isiolo counties leaving at least five people dead.
On Sunday, residents of Isiolo staged demonstrations in Isiolo town following the death of three people including a police reservist who were felled by bandits Saturday.
The victims lost their lives when the bandits attacked Mlango area in Isiolo’s Burat ward.
Authorities said the attackers who are suspected to have crossed from the neighboring Samburu county also made away with at least 200 cattle.
The attack came after two other people were killed in a similar attack in Loruko area.
On Friday, suspected bandits hit a village in Samburu before stealing 30 goats from one of the residents.
Samburu is among the seven counties that have been placed under dusk-to-dawn curfew as police teams backed by soldiers drawn from the Kenya Defence Forces moved to pacify the area.
Other counties include West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Laikipia, Baringo and Turkana.
Three-day ultimatum
Despite being granted a three-day amnesty period by the government to surrender illegal arms, a few arms have been handed over to authorities to date.
On Sunday, police officers in Samburu County recovered eight firearms and 19 rounds of ammunition that were handed over by the local administrators.
The assorted rifles included 6 AK-47, 1 Carribean, and 1 SHE.
A day earlier, three rifles were handed over to the local administration officers in Baragoi by Bendera Village elders, in response to the government directive.
Baragoi Location Chief and the Assistant Chief handed over two riffles; an AK47 loaded with an empty magazine and a G3 loaded with 3 rounds of ammunition to Baragoi Police Station.
Another administrator from Elbarta Location accompanied by Assistant Chief also handed over a G3 riffle loaded with an empty magazine to the same police station.
