MARSABIT, Kenya – Two herders were shot dead and two others critically injured when armed raiders attacked Marti village in Loiyangalani, Marsabit County, in a fresh outbreak of violence in the volatile region.
The attack, believed to be linked to livestock theft, saw the assailants flee with an undisclosed number of goats.
Security forces responded swiftly, engaging the attackers in a firefight and recovering all the stolen animals.
However, the perpetrators escaped and are now the subject of an intense manhunt.
The victims were rushed to hospital, where police say they are fighting for their lives.
The bodies of the two deceased herders were taken to a local mortuary pending post-mortem examinations.
The raid has raised fears of retaliatory violence in the community, even as the government continues its ongoing multi-agency security operation in the region.
The area is part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu, launched in 2024 to tackle cattle rustling and banditry in northern Kenya.
While the operation has led to notable reductions in crime, incidents like the Marti attack highlight the persistent challenges faced by authorities.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the government is combining security crackdowns with long-term investments aimed at dismantling the roots of livestock-related crime.
“We are coming to dismantle not only the criminals but the entire chain sustaining the livestock rustling industry,” Murkomen said, adding that all National Police Reservists (NPRs) will undergo fresh vetting.
He also announced plans to introduce subsidized farm inputs and agricultural extension services in the region as part of a broader effort to shift communities toward more sustainable livelihoods.
Operation Maliza Uhalifu targets hotspot areas across several counties, including Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, Baringo, West Pokot, Isiolo, and parts of Meru.
