Thirdway Alliance Party Leader Ekuru Aukot has announced that his sister was among the 11 persons killed when bandits stormed a village in Turkana East, Turkana County, on Saturday.
The early morning attack occurred in Namariat, near Kakitetei, and eight police officers, a local chief, and two civilians were killed.
Dr. Aukot stated on social media on Saturday evening that the bandit strike had taken his sister, who had left behind small children.
“Dear President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, I just lost my sister Mary Kanyaman, a mother to little kids, to Pokot bandits in Napeitom. We have also lost the area chief and 5 other police officers. We will Bury them, but fix the insecurity issue in Turkana East,” tweeted Aukot.
Aukot has urged President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, to combat banditry in Turkana County, which he refers to as “domestic terrorism.”
“I have said it before, we don’t need our soldiers in Somalia. We need them home to deal with domestic terrorism. I just lost my sister because of domestic terrorism from the Pokot bandits. I hope (Dr. Ruto) and (Mr. Gachagua) will deal with this issue,” he added.
According to National Police Service spokesperson Bruno Shioso, the murdered officers were pursuing Pokot criminals who had previously invaded a village and stolen livestock.
“The officers were in hot pursuit of Pokot bandits who had raided a village in Turkana East and made away with livestock. A local chief, two (2) members of the public and eight (8) police officers succumbed to the injuries,” Shioso said in a statement.
Meanwhile, additional police officers have been despatched to reinforce the forces on the ground as they continue to pursue the fugitives.
“NPS reassures the public that all necessary measures shall be taken to restore security and safety in the region,” the police spokesperson added, condemning the incident as a cowardly attack.
