Wamuzi News Ke
Deadly Cattle Raid in Baragoi: Five Killed, Hundreds of Livestock Stolen
A violent cattle raid in Baragoi, Samburu North, on Tuesday, March 11, left at least five people dead as heavily armed attackers stormed the Kawap area, seizing 700 livestock. Security forces have launched a massive operation to track down the perpetrators and recover the stolen animals.
North Deputy County Commissioner Samwel Mwangi confirmed the attack, revealing that police had managed to recover 150 of the stolen animals while the search for the remaining livestock and the assailants continued. Several injured victims were rushed to Baragoi County Referral Hospital for medical attention.
Baragoi remains one of Kenya’s most volatile regions, frequently plagued by cattle rustling and armed banditry. The latest attack follows a string of violent incidents, including the killing of a police officer in the area.
Earlier in January 2025, two herders sustained gunshot wounds in Mparasian when armed raiders struck, stealing an undisclosed number of cattle. On February 10, a brazen prison break occurred near the Maralal-Baragoi border when gunmen shot a police officer and facilitated the escape of eight detainees.
Tensions escalated again on Sunday, March 9, when a group allegedly crossed into a neighboring village to reclaim stolen livestock, fueling further violence. Meanwhile, similar clashes along the Kisii-Transmara border have resulted in three deaths and multiple injuries.
The government, through the Interior Ministry, continues its efforts to suppress banditry, including disarmament operations in hotspot regions. Despite Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s recent claim that banditry cases had dropped by 70% due to enhanced security measures, the latest killings highlight the ongoing challenge.
In Kerio Valley, authorities have intensified efforts to recover illegal firearms, with Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat urging residents in Tot to voluntarily surrender weapons as part of the broader crackdown on armed criminal groups.
