Officer killed, eight remandees missing in ambush by suspected bandits

One police officer was killed and eight remandees are missing after suspected bandits laid an ambush in the Charda area, along the Maralal -Baragoi -South Horr road.

Samburu County police commander Thomas Ototo said the incident happened at around 7 pm on Monday.

Police officers from Baragoi Police Station were escorting remandees from Maralal GK Prison to Baragoi Police Station on board a police Landcruiser for mobile court sessions Tuesday when the incident happened.

According to a police report the officer sustained multiple gunshot wounds and his rifle with 30 rounds of ammunition stolen.

“The two escort officers armed with his G3 Riffles/no. G3J52162 with 60 rounds of ammunition and Ak47 riffle s/no. 5503585 with 60 rounds of ammunition together with the eight remandees are also unaccounted for,” read the police report in part.

The eight remandees faced various charges including defilement, murder, robbery with violence, and being in possession of a firearm.

They include Kennedy Lekisaat, Ewoi Lonyogorot, Namulem Losam, Lorunyei Akware, Lopasho Ekoriana, Saul Lekisaat, Lokwawi Adoro and Golong Arii-Assault/grievous harm.

A contingent of KDF, GSU and officers from Baragoi Police Station was deployed to help in the search and rescue mission.

Two escort officers who were reported missing were found alive with no physical injuries and with their firearms and ammunition.

The body of the officer was removed to Baragoi Sub-county Hospital Morgue pending autopsy.