Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo confirmed the incident, stating that the attack occurred at around 5:30pm along the Samburu–Isiolo corridor as the vehicle was ferrying animals from Lolkuniyiani Market.
The lorry was reportedly ambushed in an area located between Sapashe and Lerata in Samburu County.
According to the governor, the assailants, believed to be armed bandits, opened fire on the vehicle before fleeing with livestock that had been loaded onto the lorry. Preliminary information indicates that twelve heads of cattle were stolen during the attack.
“At around 1730 hours, unknown armed bandits attacked a lorry transporting livestock from Lolkuniyiani Market, located between Sapashe and Lerata in Samburu County, en route to Isiolo,” Governor Guyo said in a statement.
He added that the attack resulted in the immediate death of two individuals, while three others sustained serious gunshot wounds. The injured victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Reports further indicate that both victims died at the scene of the ambush. Among those killed was a minor, raising further concern over the growing impact of banditry on civilians in the region.
Governor Guyo strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a senseless act of violence that continues to disrupt livelihoods and threaten peace in northern Kenya. He called on county and national security agencies to act swiftly to apprehend those responsible.
“We strongly urge the Samburu County security team, working together with all relevant national security agencies, to fast-track investigations, pursue the perpetrators, and take decisive action to bring them to justice,” the governor said.
The incident comes amid ongoing government efforts to curb banditry and livestock theft across the North Rift and Upper Eastern regions.
According to the governor, the assailants, believed to be armed bandits, opened fire on the vehicle before fleeing with livestock that had been loaded onto the lorry. Preliminary information indicates that twelve heads of cattle were stolen during the attack.
“At around 1730 hours, unknown armed bandits attacked a lorry transporting livestock from Lolkuniyiani Market, located between Sapashe and Lerata in Samburu County, en route to Isiolo,” Governor Guyo said in a statement.
He added that the attack resulted in the immediate death of two individuals, while three others sustained serious gunshot wounds. The injured victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Reports further indicate that both victims died at the scene of the ambush. Among those killed was a minor, raising further concern over the growing impact of banditry on civilians in the region.
Governor Guyo strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a senseless act of violence that continues to disrupt livelihoods and threaten peace in northern Kenya. He called on county and national security agencies to act swiftly to apprehend those responsible.
“We strongly urge the Samburu County security team, working together with all relevant national security agencies, to fast-track investigations, pursue the perpetrators, and take decisive action to bring them to justice,” the governor said.
The incident comes amid ongoing government efforts to curb banditry and livestock theft across the North Rift and Upper Eastern regions.
These operations involve a multi-agency approach bringing together the National Police Service, Kenya Defence Forces, and other security agencies.
Despite the intensified security operations, attacks linked to banditry have continued to be reported in counties such as Samburu, Isiolo, Baringo, Turkana, and Elgeyo Marakwet, often targeting motorists, traders, and herders.
Thursday’s ambush is the latest in a series of violent incidents along major transport routes in Isiolo County.
Despite the intensified security operations, attacks linked to banditry have continued to be reported in counties such as Samburu, Isiolo, Baringo, Turkana, and Elgeyo Marakwet, often targeting motorists, traders, and herders.
Thursday’s ambush is the latest in a series of violent incidents along major transport routes in Isiolo County.
In a similar attack reported on December 24 last year, two people were seriously injured after gunmen opened fire on a vehicle travelling along the Kom–Isiolo road.
In that incident, the victims were travelling from Kom towards Isiolo town when armed assailants reportedly attacked their vehicle, leaving two occupants nursing gunshot wounds.
In that incident, the victims were travelling from Kom towards Isiolo town when armed assailants reportedly attacked their vehicle, leaving two occupants nursing gunshot wounds.
Initial reports suggested the attackers could have originated from Samburu County, claims that were later disputed by members of the Samburu community.
Community leaders from Samburu questioned the allegations and called for credible evidence before linking any community to the attack, warning against ethnic profiling that could fuel further tensions in the region.
Security agencies have since intensified patrols in known banditry hotspots, including border areas between Samburu and Isiolo counties.
Community leaders from Samburu questioned the allegations and called for credible evidence before linking any community to the attack, warning against ethnic profiling that could fuel further tensions in the region.
Security agencies have since intensified patrols in known banditry hotspots, including border areas between Samburu and Isiolo counties.
Police officers have also been involved in recovery operations targeting stolen livestock, with several animals recovered in recent weeks.
Authorities say investigations into Thursday’s attack are ongoing, and residents have been urged to cooperate with security agencies by sharing information that could help track down the attackers.
Authorities say investigations into Thursday’s attack are ongoing, and residents have been urged to cooperate with security agencies by sharing information that could help track down the attackers.
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