An unknown number of heavily armed riders on Monday invaded Lorian village in Morijo region, Samburu County and killed a herder and made away with more than 500 goats.

The incident in Gobole, Loiyangalani Sub-County, Marsabit, has raised significant concerns in the region.

Confirming the incident, Samburu County Commissioner John Cheruiyot said that the raiders ambushed the herder and shot him dead before they escaped towards Malabo with the goats.

Cheruiyot assured that security personnel were pursuing the criminals in a bid to apprehend them and recover the stolen animals.

Security personnel are actively searching for the suspects, and a contingent of officers from the Administration Police, Regular Police and Anti-Theft Stock Unit have been deployed to Loiyangalani to pursue the bandits.

Acting County Police Commander John Kwasa confirmed that the four suspected bandits, believed to be from Samburu, struck at around 4pm before shooting their victim dead. The two herdsmen were looking after their goats when the attackers struck and began shooting indiscriminately.

The area has seen at least 15 people killed in the past few months, and the incident is part of a pattern of violence in the region

The county commissioner advised residents to be alert and inform security personnel of suspicious individuals in their midst in order prevent such criminal activities.

•  A Tell Media / KNA report / By Petkas Lelendu