At least two people were shot and killed on Thursday, while ten others were injured in Samburu County.
This is the latest such attack in the area amid protests and operations to address the menace.
Police said they responded to a scene where gunmen ambushed a bus travelling along the Maralal-Baragoi route at the Mbukoi area in Samburu North.
Witnesses and police said two conductors were killed on the spot, while ten other passengers were injured and are receiving treatment at Samburu County Referral Hospital, police said.
Locals said the attack came after threats from the bandits.
The director of Medical Services in Samburu, Dr.Ezra Lekenit, said two patients recovering in the hospital were in critical condition.
"There were six patients, including four females and two males. Of the four females, two are in critical condition, and one has a penetrating gun wound,” he told journalists.
Local leaders led in protesting persistent attacks by bandits in the past months, which have claimed lives.
Samburu North Member of Parliament Elly Letipila asked that there be a permanent solution to the trend.
"It seems the government is unable to end insecurity in this region because for the whole year, people have been killed along this road as if there is no government,” he said.
"There is no safe passage in this county anymore. In Wamba, there is
insecurity, Baragoi road is impassable, the road to Basaloi is also impassable
we don’t know what to do,” said Samburu Woman Rep Pauline Lenguris.
Police said they had sent reinforcements to pursue the gunmen, who were targeting motorists for cash and other valuables.
The gunmen are mostly bandits waiting to strike for listock.
The area is among those under Operation Maliza Uhalifu, targeting bandits.
Launched in February 2023, Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift is a government security initiative that targets 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.
