Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya has said that the bandits in Laikipia have killed eight people.
Among the eight are three police officers.
“Civilians who have been injured with bullets are four while injured police officers are two,” he said.
Infrming on the arson attack witnessed on Tuesday, Natembeya said that the police managed to put out the fire before it spread.
“No arson incident, injuries, displacements or deaths have been reported. We have also provided security to those leaving the area so that they are not harassed,” he said.
Natembeya has further accused politicians of inciting and arming youths.
“We have received reports that some of the owners of the livestock are saying they remove them from the ranches and bring 500 Morans to fight with the security officers. This means that these are planned attacks to ensure the area has no peace,” Natembeya said.
On Wednesday morning, former Former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel was arrested in connection to the bandit attacks.
On Tuesday, Natembeya was at pains explaining why it was difficult dealing with the bandits because of the heavy and modern artillery they are using which the local police are finding difficult to deal with.
Natembeya told journalists that they are armed with sophisticated guns included M16s which are used by American and British soldiers.
“While our officers are using AK47 and G3 rifles, the bandits in Laikipia are using M16s and other heavy rifles which are usually used by foreign armies who come for training in Kenya. We don’t know how they get these heavy weapons” Regional Commissioner George Natembeya told journalists.
It is not yet clear how the bandits are getting their hands on the weapons.
British soldiers have a training base in Nanyuki and perhaps its proximity to the dangerous region explains how they may have gotten the guns.
