ReliefWeb

In Summary

• Bandits are believed to be from the Pokot community in Kenya and Uganda

By SAMMY LUTTA

The number of people who have died following an attack on a Turkana village has risen to eight.

Four people were initially killed when armed bandits suspected to be from the Pokot community attacked Lorengipi Village on Monday morning.

Four others injured during the incident were admitted to the Lodwar District Hospital despite the ongoing health workers’ strike.

According to Loima sub-county commissioner Charles Igiha, among those killed were two raiders and a woman. The woman died on her way to hospital on Monday morning.

Loima MP Protus Akuja, who visited the village, said that more than 1,500 goats, sheep and donkeys were driven away towards Pokot North and some parts of Uganda.

A mobile phone was recovered from one of the bandits killed in a retaliatory attack by police reservists. It was found to have both Kenyan and Ugandan numbers.

Mr Akuja said it is suspected that some members of the Pokot community from Kenya and Uganda carried out the raid.

Speaking over the phone, Turkana Women Representative Joyce Emanikor said the raids on Turkana residents are politically driven.

“Some leaders are behind these raids. I urge the government to investigate and take action against them,” she said.

The MP urged the government to compensate villagers who have lost their only source of livelihood, and pay the hospital bills of any Turkana resident injured in the attacks.

RELIEF FOOD AND FUNDS

When the Nation team visited police reservist Loitwan Lorigon at the Lodwar District Hospital where he is admitted, he said they had lost 100 goats in the raid.

His wife Libwach Loitwan said they left their seven children in the village with no food as the injured were being taken to hospital on Monday.

“I appeal to the government to urgently offer relief food and funds to over 800 households in Lorengipi Village,” she said.

Mr Igiha said security personnel are still pursuing the bandits.