Police in Merti, Isiolo County have launched a manhunt for criminals who shot dead two men in Lakole on Monday night.
The bodies of the two, who were suspected to have been killed by armed bandits from neighbouring Wajir County, were found lying by the roadside around 10pm with gunshot wounds.
The two men were riding on a motorbike towards Kom when they were ambushed by the attackers about 20 kilometres past Merti town.
“The attack is suspected to have been carried out by bandits from a neighbouring county,” a police report said.
Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding said security had been beefed up in the area where tension has been building up.
“We have already deployed officers to the area as investigations continue,” Mr Omoding told Nation.Africa.
Proliferation of illegal firearms has been blamed for the surge in attacks, majorly aimed at displacing communities from their land or taking over ownership of resources such as pastures and water.
Meanwhile, local leaders have asked police to beef up security in the area and neighbouring villages to allow residents continue with their businesses unhindered.
While condemning the incident, Isiolo North MP Hassan Odha lamented over the surge in banditry attacks in the region, saying hundreds of lives have been lost and property worth millions of shillings destroyed in the last one year.
He asked the government to beef up security in the affected Cherab Ward to ensure residents continue enjoying their constitutional right of protection of life and property.
"The government must move with speed and address the deteriorating security situation in Merti," Mr Odha said.
The legislator said armed herders from neighbouring Wajir County had invaded the traditional grazing lands and were unleashing terror on the residents.
Mr Odha said the government should rearm the National Police Reservists (NPRs) to enhance security in various hotspot such as border points to prevent the constant attacks.
"Interior CS Fred Matiang'i should fast-track the arming of NPR in Chari and Cherab," he said.
An influx of herders suspected to have come from Samburu and Marsabit counties has been reported in Chari with local leaders fearing the migration could prompt resource-based conflicts.
Cases of harassment of travellers by armed herders have been reported within Gotu and Biliqo areas in the recent past.
While condoling with bereaved families, Bulapesa MCA aspirant Lydia Ngichili asked security officers to intensify patrols in the area and other hotspots.
“There is need for enhanced security in the area especially now that drought persists,” she said.
An armed suspect was two weeks ago arrested with a G3 rifle after a shootout between armed bandits and police officers on a mission to recover 187 stolen goats whose footprints had been traced to Sarova Shaba area.
