Two construction workers were shot dead at a site in the Mutuati area, Meru County in an attack believed to have been staged by fleeing bandits.
The incident happened at a private farm where a group of workers were constructing a wall at the Kamongombe area in the Amwathi 1 sub-location within the Kabachi location, police said.
There were seven workers at the site when the incident happened on Tuesday evening.
The gunmen opened fire randomly killing George Odhiambo, 27 and Mateta M'kiuga, 60.
The other workers were found hiding and frightened, police said.
A team was mobilized to pursue the attackers as part of efforts to establish the motive and ensure justice.
It is believed the gunmen targeted livestock in villages in the area when they suddenly staged the attack.
The area has lately become a point of interest as bandits raid for livestock.
They in the end kill and injure local herders amid complaints and protests for action to stop the trend.
The bodies were moved to Nyambene sub-county hospital awaiting postmortem.
The government has been making efforts to address the menace.
This includes deploying more personnel and acquiring more equipment to enhance the operations.
The area is among those under police operation to recover illegal weapons in the hands of civilians.
The operation started three months ago and involves multi-agency teams covering various counties.
Operation Komesha Uhalifu North Rift targets Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit, Meru and Isiolo counties.
Besides retributive reaction, strategic investment and sustainable development have also taken a prominent place among the government’s planned crime control interventions for Kenya’s Northern frontier and the Kerio Valley belt.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said the long-term vision is to empower the communities to actively take part in the war against animal rustling and undertake legitimate nation-building activities.
He said he plans to distribute subsidized agricultural inputs and extension services to area residents in a bid to revive farming activities as a source of livelihood.
“We are coming to dismantle not only the criminals themselves but also to bring down the entire chain that has been the cattle and livestock rustling industry,” he said.