By Steve Mkawale and Beatrice Obwocha The families had arrived only four days earlier, men, women and children driving their herds to Naibol, which in Samburu language means "the place of white soil".
It had been their oasis of hope throughgenerations, replete with water and pasture when drought ravaged the land, as it does now. Several hundred animals had been assembled at the village when the raiders struck at dawn yesterday, and killed anyone who stood in their way — most of them women and children.
When the raiders left, the place of white soil was drenched in blood, 35 people and 40 animals dead — the latter having been snuffed out as raiders expressed their fury, after being
repulsed. The dead had arrived from Ewaso Nyiro, on the lower parts of Samburu to settle in the Naibol village in Laikipia North District.
The killings come five days after Laisamis MP Joseph Lekuton expressed concerns over increased insecurity in Northern Kenya.
Locals view bodies of children killed in the early morning attack at the Kanampiu village in Laikipia North District, Tuesday. [Photos: COLLINS KWEYU /Standard] READ MORE20,025 candidates sit for KPSEA in West Pokot county Three ex-county officials charged with theft of Sh296m bursary funds Two arrested in Sh296 million bursary fraud, two others in hiding |
Of the 35 killed, 21 were said to be Samburu women and children who were caught in the crossfire between armed rustlers and Kenya Police Reservists, according to police.
The scene
The scene of the killings in Naibol Kanampio village is sandwiched between the insecure Suguta Valley and Kirimon area.
Police sources and witnesses told The Standard that 14 of the bodies were identified as those of Pokot raiders.
The cattle rustlers are believed to have fled with more than 500 head of cattle, but shot 40 dead when they were challenged.
Some 11 herdsmen were admitted at Maralal District Hospital following the attack, which local leaders described as one of the bloodiest in recent memory.
Deputy Rift Valley Provincial Police Officer David Mbaya and other senior security personnel rushed to the scene to co-ordinate rescue operations.
By yesterday afternoon two police Land Rovers were still ferrying the injured to hospital.
A police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the Press, told The Standard they were retrieving injured villagers and bodies from the bushes.
"Some people succumbed to injuries when fleeing the scene while others were left unconscious in the bushes," said the officer, on the telephone.
Police vehicle
A teacher at a school in Kisima near Maralal said he saw the two police vehicles loaded with bodies.
"They were speeding towards Maralal town. There was also another vehicle that appeared to be carrying injured people," he said.
And one of the herders, who sustained slight injuries and was recuperating at Maralal Hospital, explained that the high number of casualties were as a result of frustration from the Pokot raiders who expected less resistance.
"We were aware that they were coming to attack and we put up very strong resistance. They resorted to killing women and children in frustration," said the herder, who spoke through an interpreter.
Councillor Fred Kiragu of Maralal Town said the attack occurred at a point where the Samburu had camped due to plenty of pasture and water.
"They had a lot of animals there because there was plenty of pasture and water," he said.
Mbaya, the deputy PPO, could not give the exact number of the dead saying they were still looking for more bodies and injured people.
The armed cattle rustlers invaded two manyattas in PND area in Laikipia North District, and shot dead about 20 people, among them seven children.
At 5.30am
Ms Lekorere, a resident, said the raiders struck at 5.30am. "They shot at manyattas indiscriminately, killing at least 18 people. Two more died while undergoing treatment at the Maralal District Hospital in Samburu North where they were rushed," said Lekorere.
Ten of the raiders were killed in the attack, he said, putting the total of deaths at 31. Other police sources placed the casualty figure at 35.
About 17 people were until yesterday afternoon undergoing treatment at the hospital, among them four women with critical injuries, and were admitted to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
Gunshots could be heard at the nearby Tingamara area yesterday afternoon, as security forces engaged the attackers in a shoot out.
Speaking at the scene, DC Amos Mariba said a combined force of security officers had been deployed to the area from Laikipia North and neighbouring Samburu, Laikipia East and Laikipia West districts.
Situation contained
He said the situation had been contained, although he observed that tension was still high.
"We have dispersed them, and also recovered cattle. They are now moving in pairs, and security forces are still combing the bushes," he said.
The Deputy Rift Valley PPO Mbaya told The Standard in Samburu last evening, a contingent of security personnel was pursuing the rustlers.
Mbaya, however, disputed claims that some cows were stolen saying the rustlers opted to shoot the cattle in the manyatta at Naibol; after they realised they had been overpowered.
