Wamuzi News Ke
Tens of furious residents descended on the roads of Kaputir in the early hours of Thursday, October 23, after two officers of the National Police Reservists (NPR) were allegedly fatally shot by personnel from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) late Wednesday.
Eyewitnesses say the NPR officers were returning home from duty at the Lokwar Irrigation Scheme when they were confronted along a patrol route monitored by KDF soldiers. One officer was shot in the head and another in the chest and leg, according to local sources. Both were in full uniform, armed with government-issued firearms.
By Thursday morning, anger had boiled over. Protesters brought traffic to a standstill on the Kaputir-Kapenguria road — erecting rock barricades, lighting bonfires and vowing not to disperse until prompt action is taken.
MP Reacts, Community Demands Justice
Local MP John Ariko (Turkana South) described the incident as “senseless and heartbreaking,” stating that the KDF — whose constitutionally mandated role is to safeguard citizens — has instead become “a source of fear and insecurity for the Turkana community along the River Turkwel.”
Ariko has called on the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and the national government to immediately withdraw all security officers stationed in and around Aroo Sub-County, until a full and transparent investigation is concluded.
Details of the Incident
Though the KDF has not yet issued an official statement, the two NPR officers are believed to have been ambushed while travelling on a motorcycle. The attack reportedly took place during KDF patrols in an area still reeling from security tensions.
From the available accounts, the first officer suffered a fatal head wound, while the second sustained gunshot wounds to the chest and leg. Residents highlight that both were clearly identifiable in full NPR uniform at the time.
Community Outcry & Escalating Tensions
The dramatic escalation of civil unrest in this isolated region speaks to deeper frustrations. Locals have voiced a feeling of abandonment, alleging that their own security providers are now part of the threat. Barricades and bonfires on major roadways are a visible sign of mounting agitation and mistrust of formal security channels.
Business and transport have ground to a halt in affected stretches, with travellers and local commerce caught in the fallout. Protesters are adamant: they will not clear the road until the government responds
