FIVE PEOPLE INCLUDING TWO POLICE OFFICERS DIE IN AN AMBUSH

Five people, including two police officers, died yesterday after they were shot by suspected Samburu bandits in Gotu, Isiolo, police have confirmed.

Isiolo County Police Commander Joshua Sang confirmed that those who died were two police officers from the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), one KPR officer, and two civilians. They were on a mission to collect a body after reports emerged that the body of a missing elder had been found in the bushes of Mata Kurba in Gotu Location.

According to Sang, residents asked for help from the police to go into the bush and recover the body.

Sang has warned politicians against infiltrating the current situation with political intentions aimed at provoking tensions in the county, warning that such attempts will be dealt with ruthlessly by police.

Residents have strongly condemned the killings and called on the government to deal with the insecurity once and for all.

Osman Sharrif who spoke at the burial site of victims condemned the way the interior ministry has been handling the cases of insecurity and killing in the county.

Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dhulo condemned the killings and called for more action from the government explaining that many incidents of crimes and killing are happening below the radar of police action.

Former Isiolo Assembly speaker Mohamed Roba Koto alleged there is a coordinated effort to displace residents of Gotu from the area and wondered why the security apparatus are unable deal with banditry threat which he alleged was because of mining prospects in the area.

Hadijah Abdi, a human rights activist, called on the government to begin a disarmament exercise on civilians in Isiolo and the neighboring counties.

Halima Hassan a sex worker, called on CS For interior Kipchumba Murkomen to act fast and restore security in the county.

Diana Gatwiri, a paralegal who represents Isiolo sex workers has called for security to be restored, explaining that many residents were currently living under tension over the rising cases of insecurity.