Residents of Mugae Village, situated on the border of Meru and Isiolo Counties, have expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity in the area, particularly due to frequent cattle rustling incidents that often result in loss of life.
In the most recent attack, which occurred last Sunday, a National Police Reservist (NPR) officer was killed by assailants believed to be from Samburu County. The attackers stormed the officer’s home, fatally shot him, and fled with two cows and his firearm.
Benson Mbaabu Kaimenyi, 42, who had recently joined the NPR, was killed instantly during the raid at his homestead, which includes three houses, one of which belongs to his parents.
The mood was somber at his burial on Thursday, with family, friends, and neighbors struggling to come to terms with his death. Numerous NPR officers also attended to pay their respects to their fallen colleague.
Kaimenyi’s father, Kaimenyi Nabea, reported that this incident was not isolated, noting that the attackers have been terrorizing the local community. He mentioned a similar attack a month ago, in which a person was killed and livestock was stolen.
The raiders also took the deceased’s firearm and two head of livestock, which were later recovered three days later at Archers’ Post. Nabea suggested that the attackers were specifically targeting his son to kill him and steal the gun, as they struck after he had separated from the rest of the NPR team returning from a security mission. He has called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
Musa Maitai, a Mugae resident, arrived at the scene on Sunday morning and urged the government to increase security surveillance in the region due to the rising number of incidents. He also stressed the need for a deeper investigation into the attackers’ motives.
Pastor Kaburia Mung’athia added that over fifty head of cattle were recently stolen from another homestead in the area.
