Ruto Launches Crackdown Following Turkana Ambush That Killed 11

President William Ruto has ordered security agencies to go after the culprits behind the Turkana massacre that left 11 people dead, including police officers.

He stated on Sunday, September 25 that cattle rustling would be a thing of the past in his administration, in his assurance to the residents.

Ruto gave the directive after he received a comprehensive report on the attack that claimed the lives of two civilians, eight police officers and a chief.

Police cars in Kenya. /FILE

"After receiving a comprehensive report on the Turkana/Pokot incident that led to 10 security/administration officers losing their lives, I have instructed security agencies to deal firmly, decisively and conclusively with those involved. Cattle rustling will stop na sio tafadhali," Ruto stated.

National Police Service (NPS) spokesperson Bruno Shioso afterwards affirmed that a multi-agency security team operation was launched with the purposes of dealing with the bandits.

"Following an attack against the locals of Kakiteitei Village in Turkana East Sub County where lives were lost and livestock stolen by bandits, a multi-agency security operation has today been launched in the area to arrest the perpetrators, recover the stolen animals and firearms, and return normalcy to the area," he noted. 

While condemning the incidents, the NPS appealed to the public to provide any information leading to the arrest of the culprits.

"Such acts of criminality and impunity shall not be tolerated and must be brought to an end at all cost. As such, bandits terrorizing innocent people have been put on notice."

"NPS appeals to the public to cooperate with this noble effort to return security to the area by volunteering information that may lead to arrest of the criminals and recovery of stolen animals," Shioso added.

Former presidential contender, Ekuru Aukot had disclosed that his sister was one of the victims in the attack; she was a mother of two children. He called for action by Ruto's administration following the matter.

"Dear President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, I just lost my sister Mary Kanyaman, a mother of little kids, to Pokot bandits in Napeitom.

"We have also lost the area chief and eight other police officers. We will bury them, but fix the insecurity issue in Turkana East," he said.

The officers were pursuing the rustlers when they were attacked by the armed thugs who also made away with some of the livestock.

Turkana East is part of the larger Rift Valley region that is affected by cattle rustling with the most affected regions being Kerio Valley.

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers on patrol. /TV47 DIGITAL