A member of the National Police Reserve was fatally shot in an attack by bandits in a village in Kepenguria, West Pokot County.
Police said Clement Lokwailap was shot in the stomach by unknown bandits within the Apolo area and succumbed to the injuries on arrival at Ortum missionary hospital.
The body was moved to Cheranganyi Nursing Home Mortuary awaiting postmortem.
Witnesses said the deceased was on his routine patrol within the Apolo area when he was attacked on Saturday, February 1.
His G3 rifle and two magazines with unknown rounds of ammunition were stolen by the attackers, police said.
There are fears of retaliation over the incident.
Police say they have increased patrols in the area to address such attacks, which are returning after a brief lull.
More equipment has been mobilized to help in operations to tame the banditry menace.
This has led to a general decline in banditry attacks in the larger north rift and other surrounding areas in the past year.
At least 172 illegal firearms were last year recovered in ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift.
The operation has also seen a significant drop in cattle rustling cases, the Ministry of Interior said.
“The operation has led to a 62% reduction in the number of cattle rustling occurrences, with cases dropping from 63,054 stolen livestock to 23,668—a decline of 39,386 heads of cattle.”
“Notably, 172 illegal firearms were collected during mop-up exercises and 10,173 livestock have been recovered,” a statement from the ministry said.
During the same period, 250 suspects, including 14 political leaders, were arrested and prosecuted.
Launched in February 2023, Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift is a government security initiative that targeted escalating banditry, cattle rustling, and violence in nine counties including Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Marsabit, Laikipia, Isiolo, and Meru.
Hot spot areas in these counties were designated as “Disturbed” and “Dangerous,” in the operation that brought together the National Police Service (NPS) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in a coordinated effort to restore peace and stability in the region.
Security officers on the ground have effectively disarmed hundreds of bandits, dismantled their hideouts in the rugged terrain, and restored stability to affected communities.
To strengthen local security, the government has restructured the management and command of the National Police Reservists.
In 2023, a total of 1,702 reservists were recruited and trained in Baringo, Samburu, Laikipia, Meru, Turkana, and West Pokot.
At least 400 reservists in Elgeyo Marakwet and Isiolo were re-armed to supplement the ongoing security operations in the area.
To enhance governance and improve service delivery, the Government gazetted 126 new administrative units across Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, Meru, and Laikipia Counties.
This initiative is aimed at strengthening local administration, improving resource allocation, and enabling a more effective response to security challenges.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has played a crucial role in this reconstruction effort and to date, 26 schools have reopened and at least 4,000 children went back to school marking a significant step towards recovery.
Renovations have been completed or are underway in 21 schools, with Baringo County being the most affected.
