Police have arrested four suspected bandits following a botched robbery along the Kainuk-Lodwar highway in Turkana County.
The suspects, who the police said are part of an armed criminal gang that has been terrorising residents, include two minors aged 13 and 11
The gang has been blamed for a spate of attacks along the highway over the past few months.
Rift valley Regional Commissioner Mahalim Mohamed said security officers pounced on the suspects following a tip-off from the public.
“A multi-agency security team led by Kainuk OCS moved in swiftly and waylaid the suspects near the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) camp along Kitale –Lodwar highway and arrested them,” Mohammed said.
Mohammed said two AK 47 riffles with nine rounds of ammunition were recovered from the suspects.
The administrator said the suspects are being interrogated and they will appear in court once the investigations have been completed.
Mr Mohammed said incidences of highway robberies along Kitale-Lodwar highway had risen in the past month adding that they were linking the suspects to various attacks on motorists and passengers along the highway.
He said several motorists and passengers have been injured and robbed at gunpoint by armed bandits. The victims have also lost property of unknown value to high robbers.
On May 16, Mr Mohammed issued a seven-day ultimatum to Pokot kraal who had occupied KWS area to vacate after several highway robberies were reported in the area.
“I can confirm that Pokot pastoralists kraal that had occupied Turkana National Reserve near KWS camp in Turkana South vacated the area after I ordered them out,” he said.
He added: "Since we deployed our officers who took over control of the area, no incidences of highway robberies have been reported so far."
He said the dawn to dusk curfew ordered by the Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i in Kerio Valley and West Pokot will be extended to Turkana next week.
