Deserted Loiyangalani town following series of gunfire exchange in the area witnessed on Sunday. Photo: Wambaz Lewamba Facebook.
Tension remains high in Lopi Lolpurana area following a shooting incident in Loiyangalani on Sunday, 9, involving National Police Reservists (NPRs), and Samburu raiders behind Desert Museum, which left OCS of Loiyangalani police post nursing gunshot wound on the leg.
According to a reports, many business in the area and Loiyangalani town remain closed, after the arrival of police reinforcement after the OCS was shot.
The residents have faulted the police, for escalating the situation after the arrival of the anti-stock-theft unit, who attacked villagers in Kiwanja Ndege area, where a majority of Rendille and Samburu communities live, leaving women and children injured.
“The OCS opened fire at the herders several times, after awhile the herders responded and on of them shot the police on the leg. When the anti-stock-theft unit arrived, the beat up and injured women and children in Kiwanja ya Ndege Villages,” a witnessed told the media.
The tension has spread to Kula Samaki area, predominantly occupied by Turkana community, an elder speaking to journalists narrated the terrifying situation, where the police are manning the area, as Loiyangalani streets remain empty and businesses shut down.
According to an elder from the village, the elders unable to escape suffered from the incident, as residents left their homes and are currently seeking refugee in churches and schools, which has disrupted learning in the area.
The shooting incident was confirmed by Loiyangalani Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Stanley Kimanga, who stated that the officer was rushed to Loiyangalni Health Centre before being airlifted to Nairobi for specialized treatment.
The mid-morning incident happened at around 10:15am on Sunday, has caused tension in the area, following an early morning attack aimed at a businessman ferrying and supplying goods from El Molo to Loiyangalani area was attacked by unknown people.
Further confirming the incident, Kimanga said that there were no causalities from the incident, as police continue to trail to track down the assailants. Earlier he made calls to residents to report criminals from neigbouring counties coming in to cause unrest in the county. He further called on the residents to report to the chiefs when a new person joins the community to understand the motive of their visit in the area.
