Gallmann has been a vocal advocate for the survival of elephants/COURTESY
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 24 — Two bandits were shot dead in Baringo on Sunday night by police, hours after a renowned conservationist Kuki Gallmann was wounded in a shooting at her ranch.
Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet says the two have not been linked directly to the shooting, but investigations are underway to establish if they were involved.
They were killed at Mukutani area, about 15 kilometers from Laikipia Nature Conservancy which is owned by Gallmann, a renowned author who is being treated in Nairobi.
“We are investigating if the two bandits were involved in the shooting,” the IG told Capital FM News on telephone. “They were shot dead at Mukutani area about 15 kilometers from where Gullman was shot.” He said an AK47 rifle was recovered from the slain men.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has condemned the shooting and ordered police to conduct a thorough investigation and increase security in the volatile region where several people–including British rancher Tristan Voorspuy have been killed in the recent past.
Gallmann was shot and injured in the stomach by gunmen who invaded her conservancy in Laikipia.
She was patrolling her ranch on Sunday morning when she was shot by the herders who had laid an ambush at Damu Nyekundu area.
A security operation is currently underway to pursue and arrest bandits responsible for the shooting of Gallmann.
A statement from the Interior Ministry indicated that reinforcements have been sent to the region to counter the bandits and to investigate the perpetrators of the crime.
“Security agents are in pursuit of the bandits who committed this heinous attack and they will be soon be apprehended and brought to book,” the statement indicated.
Spokesman Mwenda Njoka reassured residents of Laikipia and Baringo Counties as well as residents in all other parts of the country that the government will do everything possible to ensure that law and order are preserved.
“At the same time, the government wishes to reassure the public, investors and the tourism industry that it will do everything possible within its power to ensure that security is maintained in all parts of the country at all times,” he said.
Gallmann, who is a renowned Italian-born conservationist was shot and injured over the weekend in an ambush at her conservation park in Central Kenya.
She moved to Kenya in 1972 with her husband and son who both later died in separate accidents. She later became a Kenyan citizen.
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