Villagers in the area have blamed police for failing to put in place adequate security measures to protect them against cattle rustlers. FILE.
NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 10 – At least seven police officers were killed and more than 20 others seriously wounded after they were ambushed by gunmen in Samburu on Saturday afternoon.
The incident occurred when the officers pursuing cattle rustlers were ambushed in Baragoi.
Ten other police officers were reportedly missing following the heavy gun fight with heavily armed bandits.
Police said officers who sustained injuries will be airlifted to Nairobi for specialized treatment.
“At least seven officers have been killed, others have been injured and we have a few others missing,” a senior police officer in the region said.
Rift Valley Provincial Police chief John Mbijiwe confirmed the incident but did not comment on the casualty figures given to us by other senior officers involved in the security operation.
“The officers were pursuing stolen cattle when they were ambushed,” another officer said.
The cattle rustlers the officers were pursuing on Sunday had raided villages in Lomirok on October 30 when they shot and killed 13 people and wounded 3 others.
Villagers in the area have blamed police for failing to put in place adequate security measures to protect them against cattle rustlers.
Police however, insist communities in the region are to blame because they engage in retaliatory attacks whenever a cattle rustling incident occurs.
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