Shootout Ensues as Bandits Raid Home of Former Uhuru PS Richard Lesiyampe
Increased tension has enveloped Samburu after an audacious attack occurred at the residence of Richard Lesiyampe, the former Agriculture Principal Secretary who served during the presidency of Uhuru Kenyatta. The assailants are believed to be bandits.
The thieves focused on the residence where the majority of inhabitants stored their livestock, assuming that this dwelling was more secure.
Locals described how the audacious individuals believed to be cattle rustlers entered the residence of the PS by firing at the dwelling, a pattern consistent with numerous previous incursions resulting in fatalities and property damage.
“They came and sprayed the house with about 20 bullets,” one resident stated.
The national police reservists successfully thwarted the attack, forcing the bandits to retreat from the residence.
Citizens have expressed strong disapproval of the persistent assaults, fatalities, and livestock losses, urging the government to intensify its efforts to resolve the issue.
“We have complained of this situation for a long time. Many of our people, more than 80 of them, men, women, and children have died. We are appealing to the president, at this moment, we feel like we would only be safe at State House,” another resident lamented.
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Addressing the press, Lesiyampe referred to the act of cattle rustling as outdated and urged those involved to cease their activities.
“My home was attacked last night by marauding bandits. Cattle rustling is a primitive method of capital accumulation, and this must stop. The landscape of Samburu West is littered with fear and death,” the former PS stated.
This incident occurred just a fortnight after armed bandits killed a national police reservist in Graton village, Laikipia. Five individuals were wounded during the exchange of gunfire.
During the incident, security personnel were unexpectedly attacked while chasing down the bandits who had looted the residence of Maina Murugu. The thieves had stolen nine cows, but the livestock was eventually recovered.
The government has taken a proactive role in addressing the increasing incidents of banditry. In February of the previous year, in response to the escalating cases, the government declared the commencement of an operation named Maliza Uhalifu North Rift, which is currently ongoing.
Shootout Ensues as Bandits Raid Home of Former Uhuru PS Richard Lesiyampe