SAMBURU, Kenya – Two people were shot dead, and ten others injured when suspected bandits ambushed a passenger bus along the Maralal-Baragoi road in Samburu North, escalating concerns over worsening insecurity in the region.
The attack occurred in the Mbukoi area, where gunmen sprayed the vehicle with bullets, killing two conductors on the spot.
Ten passengers sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at Samburu County Referral Hospital.
One of the survivors, Ann Nater, recalled the terrifying ordeal.
“I was sitting at the front when the first bullet hit. We ran towards the back seats as gunshots continued. They eventually stormed into the bus,” she said.
Bus conductor Victor Lekimariri claimed such attacks were not new and that transport operators had received multiple threats.
“We have been threatened for a long time…I even have video clips of the threats,” he said.
According to Samburu’s Director of Medical Services, Dr. Ezra Lekenit, two of the hospitalized victims remain in critical condition.
“We received six patients—four women and two men. Two of the women are in critical condition, one with a penetrating gunshot wound,” he reported.
Local leaders have condemned the government’s failure to address the rising banditry, accusing authorities of neglecting security in the region.
Samburu North MP Elly Letipila expressed frustration over the repeated attacks.
“People have been killed along this road all year as if there is no government. We have reported to all security offices, even the Interior Ministry, but nothing is being done,” he said.
Samburu Woman Representative Pauline Lenguris painted a grim picture of the security situation.
“There is no safe passage in this county anymore. Wamba, Baragoi, and Basaloi roads are all impassable due to insecurity. We don’t know what to do,” she lamented.
The attack adds to the growing list of violent incidents in Samburu, where banditry remains a persistent threat despite government interventions.
