Two shot as bandits raid Laikipia villages, steal over 1,400 livestock

Two people are nursing gunshot wounds at Doldol Sub-County Hospital in Laikipia County following a Tuesday night banditry attack in Naibung’a, Salamba and Sek villages, where assailants drove away more than 1,400 head of livestock.

The attacks, which began on Sunday night and continued through Monday and Tuesday, forced hundreds of residents to flee the area on Wednesday.

Locals accuse the government of ignoring multiple early warnings of an imminent attack. Women and children have sought refuge at a nearby primary school, while men moved the remaining herds to safer locations amid heightened tension in the area.

Once known for its bustling activity, Doldol has been reduced to a ghost town, with hundreds of residents fleeing a locality that has come under sustained attack over the past three days.

Residents say the worst violence occurred on Monday night, when armed bandits made away with more than 600 head of livestock. The attackers struck again on Tuesday, fleeing with an additional 300 goats.

"Leo usiku sijalala. Watu wamekuja, wakapiga mabunduki, wakachukua mbuzi ya wamama sita majirani tu hapo. Karibu wapige mbwa risasi kwa boma yangu," said Damaris Saikong.

"Ile mbuzi mia sita, hatujapata hata moja. Saa hiyo ndio tunaenda. Sijui ata tunaenda wapi," said James Ledepe.

"Sisi tulivamiwa usiku kitu saa mbili. Tulipigwa marisasi. Mimi nilitoroka, kuna majamaa walishikwa wakiwa bado ndani ya mahali tulikuwa," said Philip Sariayo.

Sariayo said two adult men are currently receiving treatment at Doldol Sub-County Hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds during the attack.

The incident triggered Wednesday’s exodus, as residents fled to safer areas for fear of yet another assault.

"Sisi hakuna serikali mzuri. Ni Mungu tu. Ni Mungu wetu sisi. Mungu tu ndio naona akiwa serikali yangu," said Mereki Leitiko.

They accused security agencies in and around Mukogodo Forest in Laikipia North of inaction, despite sharing reports of planned attacks.

As tension continues to grip the area, affected residents are calling for quick action from the government to restore peace and calm, as children and women remain at Soit Oudo Primary School amid reports of an imminent attack.