Suspected gunmen repulsed during attempted goat raid in Samburu amid massive operation

Suspected armed bandits were thwarted when attempting to steal goats in Samburu County, resulting in a gunfight with security forces. This incident occurred in the context of a larger security operation targeting gunmen who had killed five people in Isiolo County the previous week. The gunmen are thought to have fled to Samburu County following the earlier attack.

The latest confrontation took place on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, around noon, at Lolmolog grazing field in Samburu Central. Police say herders alerted authorities after spotting the armed men. Security personnel responded quickly, leading to gunfire. The bandits were eventually driven away, and all of their livestock were recovered.

One 20-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to his right thigh. Police have intensified patrols in the area to prevent further attacks. The security operation has sparked protests and calls for an investigation following allegations that hundreds of livestock were killed during efforts to recover stolen animals and combat banditry.

The Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) team that was tracking stolen cattle was attacked in Isiolo County, resulting in the deaths of two ASTU officers, a NPR, and two civilians. This has angered police, who have concentrated their efforts on Samburu County, where the attackers are believed to be hiding. The governor of Samburu County, Lati Lelelit, expressed concern over the operation, stating that it had resulted in human rights violations and the indiscriminate killing of livestock.

He called for accountability and an independent investigation. The Senate was also informed about the incident, with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Samburu Senator Lelegwe Ltumbesi, and Samburu East MP Jackson Lekumontare calling for accountability and an investigation into the matter. The livestock deaths were reported to be as high as 415 goats and 102 cattle in Waso Ward over three days, and 700 goats, 500 cattle, and several donkeys in Samburu East.

The reports of livestock killings have led to protests by residents, who demand an end to the operation and an investigation into the conduct of security officers.