Tragedy: 8 police officers killed in Turkana

Eight police officers have been killed in an attack by bandits in Turkana East, Turkana County. 

According to the National Police Service (NPS), a chief and two members of the public were also shot dead in the ambush by Pokot bandits. 

"The National Police Service regrets to inform on the criminal and cowardly ambush by cattle rustling bandits on innocent members of the public and police officers. The officers were in hot pursuit of Pokot bandits who had raided a village in Turkana East and made away with livestock," says the NPS in a statement.  

The NPS says it has dispatched additional officers to reinforce the troops on the ground, beef up security and pursue the bandits.

"NPS reassures the public that all necessary measures shall be taken to restore security and safety in the region. NPS further condoles with the bereaved families of the departed officers and members of the public," added the statement. 

The killings came just a few hours after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua promised to stamp put the bandit menace in the areas of West Pokot, Baringo and Turkana. 

"This small work of security is my mandate, it's not President's mandate. I will personally call the meeting of Kerio Valley leaders and all security officers and I will be the chairman," Gachagua said during the burial of Baringo County Deputy Governor Charles Kipng'ok. 

In November 2014, 21 police officers were killed in an ambush by bandits in Kapedo, Baringo.