Enlisting of national police reservists (NPR) to compliment police in cattle rustling and conflict-prone arid and semi-arid regions in northern, north-eastern Kenya and Rift Valley regions is said to be bearing fruit after the unit helped to net a bhang haul with a street value of Ksh10.5 million at Ellibor in Sololo sub-county in Marsabit County.

Sololo Deputy County Commissioner Edward Goko, said the reservists also managed to arrest one suspect, who is currently helping the police with investigations after he was nabbed with over 350 kilogrammes of the narcotic drug.

Goko said the reservists who were recently enlisted to compliment enforcement of the law, intercepted a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle they suspected was ferrying contraband goods smuggled from a neighbouring country.

The DCC added that there were two occupants in the vehicle who declined to stop when flagged down, instead they opened fire on the reservists.

A fierce fight ensued during which the armed suspects were overpowered, but one managed to escape into the thickets leaving behind the driver who sustained a gunshot wound on the right leg.

“The NPRs are doing a commendable job as per the training they received,” said Goko adding that the police took the suspect in custody, a Kenyan and impounded the vehicle, registration number KCC 555V.

Detectives, the DCC said, have mounted a manhunt for the suspect who escaped in the Monday 3am incident.

The drug was packed in 72 bales of six kilogrammes each, which had been stacked in 12 sacks.

The government has of late heightened surveillance and patrols along the porous border with Ethiopia as efforts are redoubled to get rid of criminals and illegal trade including human trafficking.

The administrator said that the injured suspect has since been taken to hospital where he is undergoing treatment under tight security. The suspect will be processed for arraignment in court once he recovers.

According to the DCC, additional NPRs could be ideal to make the fight against crime and the protection of property more effective.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Sebastian Miriti