GSU Platoon Deployed To Samburu Weeks After OCS Murder

SAMBURU,Kenya, Feb, 5 – Pura area of Samburu Central is set to become an operation zone following the increased cases of bandit attacks that has plagued the region.

The government has now revealed that a platoon of General Service Unit (GSU) officers will be deployed in the area to enhance security with the priority being to apprehend bandits and restore normalcy.

Several  attacks in the county has seen scores of residents flee their homes as thousands of their livestock were stolen.

Also, in late December,2021, a police officer was killed while recently an Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Maralal police station sustained gunshot injuries before later succumbing to his injuries after being ambushed by bandits.

Samburu county commissioner Henry Wafula during a peace meeting with the warring communities and area leaders said that security will be highly enhanced to avoid a spillage of violence in the neighbouring counties.

A multi-agency security team is meanwhile expected to launch a disarmament exercise in the county.

The move comes just a day after Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i, directed the deployment of a multi-agency security team consisting of ground and air surveillance units as well as National Police Reservists in Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet.

“The deployment will be ruthless and we will employ maximum available power including aerial operations. This is the only way we can address the menace that has become worse daily and we urge for cooperation,” Said Matiang’i.

While making the annoucements during a meeting with security and political leaders, the security minister said that Leaders spewing seeds of discord and inciting residents to violence will be arrested and prosecuted in court.

A section of leaders have been implicated in sourcing and distributing guns and ammunitions to suspected bandits in the afected areas.

“The rest of these people will be extended to cultural leaders administering oaths to ‘bless’ bandits and other invasion missions,” he said.

The government has resolved to launch a full scale security operation in Mochongoi area of Baringo county following weeks of violent attacks perpetrated by suspected bandits.