Isiolo: Residents living in fear as bandits kill two herders, steal camels

Residents of Burat Ward in Isiolo County are living in fear after two herders were shot dead in the grazing field of LMD.

The killings have come at a time when residents are still mourning the death of over ten people in a span of one year in the same areas.

The residents have accused suspected bandits from Samburu and Laikipia who have fled the counties following intensive security operations in their areas.

Speaking at the LMD Muslim cemetery after the burial of the men aged 62 and 40, residents and leaders urged the government to conduct a security operation in the neighboring areas to flush out bandits whom they believe are seeking refuge in the areas.

Bandits seeking refuge in Isiolo

Burat Ward Member of County Assembly Nicholas Lorot has called on the government to move with speed to resolve the situation.

The MCA said that Isiolo is surrounded by volatile areas with police operations and bandits seeking refuge and causing mayhem for residents.

The MCA warned that if the government does not take action, the residents could be forced to arm and protect themselves.

Osman Sharif - a Somali leader - said that the government already has enough information on the the big fish who aid and even facilitate banditry in the volatile region, and should go after them immediately.

Authorities pledge action

During the weekend, Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding assured that security agencies in the county were working on intelligence that there could be bandits seeking refuge in the county.

Omonding said that officers had been deployed recently along the affected areas to enhance security and to prevent attacks from happening.

The county commissioner also warned that security matters should not be viewed from the lenses of community brackets as that would make tracking down criminals more difficult for security officials.