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Bandits Torch School as Laikipia Insecurity Soars

akirimi | 2 years ago

Laikipia, September 8

The security crisis in Laikipia County escalated on Tuesday, September 7, after armed assailants set on fire a primary school in the volatile region.

The assailants, believed to be part of a cattle rustling syndicate, attacked and set on fire Merigwiti Primary School in Laikipia West on Tuesday afternoon.

The bandits set the school ablaze just minutes after opening fire to police reservists in Ol'Moran area. The school had earlier on been closed by the government over increasing insecurity in the area.

The police reservists, who are part of the security officers deployed by the government to address the rising cases of banditry, were reportedly ambushed by the gunmen who have invaded private conservancies in the area.

On the same day, Rift Valley Regional Commander, George Natambeya, noted the bandits had superior firepower compared to the police officers.

"I am very shocked on how superior the weapons these bandits have are," stated Natambeya.

"Our police officers have the normal G3s and AK47s while these people have the likes of M16."

Natambeya, who was in a tour of the area to assess the situation and help pacify the situation, ordered the bandits to cease fire and surrender the weapons, failure to which the government will use all the necessary force to restore calm in the area.

"If you (bandits) do not cease from carrying these attacks and invading private property, then we will be forced to do what is reasonable," warned the regional commander.

The recent spate of attacks came just a day after the government, through the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, imposed a dusk (6pm) to dawn (6am) curfew in the area.

The government also, on the advisory of the National Security Council, declared the area a security operation zone and gave herders 48 hours to get their livestock out of private conservancies.

Laikipia County has been on the government's radar following increasing cases of banditry and weapons proliferation.

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