Police Ambush Gang of 20 That Had Laid Trap for Cops

Police on Monday, November 7, ambushed bandits who had laid a trap for the officers pursuing them in Isiolo county.

The attackers were cornered during an ongoing operation in the banditry-prone areas, leading to the recovery of firearms and livestock.

“Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) and General Service Unit (GSU) teams pursued 20 armed suspects who had made away with a stolen herd of cattle. 

Police officers during a past operation in Laikipia County.

File

The bandits were overpowered in their attempt to lay ambush attack on advancing security officers, and all the 70 heads of cattle and 150 goats recovered,” they reported.

The officers further identified hotspot areas making it easy for them to repulse the attackers who have become an eyesore for locals.

In Turkana County, police raided the home of Gedion Angala Emojong, a suspected mastermind of a spate of banditry activities and recovered 20 suspected stolen goats. The operation left one person dead.

“Members of the public are called upon to support security efforts by volunteering timely information that will lead to more success in the pursuit of peace in the affected regions,” they stated.

About a month ago, over 4,000 displaced Turkana bandits attack victims pleaded for help after the gruesome killing of Turkana-born peace crusader Mary Kanyaman.

She was among 11 people including some eight GSU officers ambushed and shot dead by armed bandits in Turkana East.

During a food distribution exercise in Baragoi, President William Ruto issued a stern warning after an attack happened on the eve of his visit.

Ruto directed the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner, Mohammed Maalim and County Commissioners from affected counties to immediately recruit and deploy police reservists to complement security teams on the ground.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki held meetings with senior security chiefs on the implementation of the Presidential directive and the ongoing operation that also targets the mopping up of illegal guns and the elimination of gun–racketing networks blamed for fuelling the perennial violence.

The police have appealed to members of the public to volunteer any information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of suspected bandits and their accomplices.

President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi during his installation as Kenya Red Cross on Tuesday, November 1, 2022.

William Ruto