Kapedo attacks: Two police officers killed by bandits

Kapedo attacks marked another low blow to the police force as two police officers were attacked and killed by armed bandits.

The two police officers one in the rank of a chief inspector and the other a constable were attacked as they made their way to Kapedo trading center to join other officers in the disarmament exercise currently underway.

This attack comes barely five days after a Senior General Service Unit (GSU) commander and six people were killed and many others injured by bandits in the area after a fierce exchange of gunfire

The Rift Valley Regional Commander Mr. George Natembeya said that an identified number of thugs had descended on Arabal area managing to steal 50 herds of cattle.

They were pursued by over 70 police officers where gun battle ensued resulting in some lives being lost

Several leaders drawn from Baringo and West Pokot including the arrested Tiaty MP Mr. William Kamtet have appealed to President Kenyatta to halt the ongoing security operation in kapedo claiming it was too harsh thus the need to change tact

The MPs claim that the skirmishes had occurred as a result of boundaries misunderstanding coupled with extreme poverty within Kapedo.

While speaking to Journalist on Wednesday Cabinet Secretary for Interior Dr. Fred Matiangi cautioned that the government was eager to see an end to the insecurity plaguing parts of Baringo and Turkana borders

He went on to say that the killing of a senior police officer was murder and not banditry asking those involved to surrender before the government caught up with them.

Dr. Matiangi also said that there was no conflict and that the ambush was well planned and targeted the deputy director of operations at GSU.

The slain GSU Operation Commander Emadau Tebakol is among 21 people who have since lost their lives in unstable parts of Turkana.