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Family of four killed in latest Marsabit gun attack

Victims identified as retired police officer, his wife, child and male relative.

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by JOHN MUCHANGI

Counties04 May 2023 - 06:58
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In Summary


  • The incident brings the number of people killed in alleged tribal attacks to seven in a week.
  • On Monday last week, a 38-year-old woman was killed near Bank quarters.
Crime scene

Four family members were on Tuesday afternoon shot dead by unknown assailants along Badasa-Songa road near Midrock.

The victims were identified as a retired police officer , his wife, a child and a male relative.

Two occupants in the car they were travelling in escaped death narrowly and were rushed to Marsabit County Referral Hospital.

The incident brings the number of people killed in alleged tribal attacks to seven in a week.

On Monday last week, a 38-year-old woman was killed near Bank quarters while a boda boda rider who carried the deceased sustained a bullet wound on his leg.

A day later, a 70-year-old man was killed before a security guard was killed within Marsabit town.

The killings have sparked outrage across the constituency, with many calling for justice and accountability for the perpetrators. Residents urged the government to take action to protect its citizens.

The residents blamed killings of innocent people on disarming of the National Police Reservists whom they said played a key role in combating criminal activities.

Marsabit leaders led by Governor Mohamud Ali on Tuesday condemned rising insecurity in Saku constituency after four people was killed by unknown gunmen.

The governor expressed sadness over the killings and called on the security agencies to be proactive to quell insecurity challenges, describing it as heartless and barbaric.

He urged elected leaders to unite to end insecurity that has earned the county a bad name for years, frustrating development and peaceful coexistence.

"I strongly condemned the senseless killing of four people. The latest act of violence is deeply concerned and i extend my sincere condolences to the families of the victims," Governor Mohamud said.

The county boss said it was distressing to see the new episode of violence that began a week ago now spiralling out of control, threatening the fragile peace that has been enjoyed in Marsabit.

He called on the security apparatus to get the bottom of the matter and ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous acts face the full force of the law.

"We cannot allow the acts of violence to become the norm in our society. We must work together to ensure peace and stability are maintained," he said.

He promised that his administration would continue to support the efforts of the security apparatus and community elders in peace initiatives.

The governor urged residents to snitch on criminals to help security agencies maintain law and order, saying hiding criminals would seriously curtail efforts to improve security.

He asked locals to cooperate with law enforcement officers to foster peace and development by revealing the identities of criminals whose illegal operations were denying them the peace they deserved.

Saku MP Dido Ali Raso condoled with the families who lost their loved ones and called on security agencies to act faster and restore sanity in the constituency.

He said time had come for security officers to carry out a massive crackdown on the criminals, arrest them and subject them to the rule of law.

"We want the government to make sure the lives and property of the residents are protected," he said

He called for increased police patrols, and urged residents to volunteer information to security agencies.

"I want to tell our people that you equally have a role to play in ensuring the much needed peace and security is achieved by reporting suspicious characters to the police," he said.

While confirming the incident, county commissioner Nobert Komora assured the residents of security, adding that those found causing insecurity would face the law.

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