Seven people have been killed after a gang of heavily armed bandits launched a brutal daytime raid in Tseikuru Sub-county, Mwingi North.
The attack occurred at Kwa Kamari Trading Centre at around 2 p.m., when approximately 40 assailants stormed the area and opened fire indiscriminately on residents.
Victims and Casualties
According to authorities, six men and one woman lost their lives in the attack. The victims sustained gunshot wounds and deep machete cuts.
Their bodies were moved to Kyuso Level IV Hospital mortuary.
One survivor who sustained gunshot injuries is currently receiving treatment at Tseikuru Level IV Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Details of the Attack
Confirming the incident, Ann Mwangi said the attackers were armed with automatic rifles and machetes and arrived in two unmarked Probox vehicles.
She noted that the suspected bandits are believed to be from a pastoralist community that had earlier encroached into the nearby Mwingi North Game Reserve to graze camels.
During the raid, the attackers also destroyed property, setting ablaze three shops, a petrol station, and a motorcycle.
Suspected Retaliatory Violence
Authorities suspect the killings are linked to ongoing retaliatory attacks between pastoralist groups and local residents in the Kwa Kamari area, which borders the game reserve.
Security agencies have launched investigations and are expected to intensify operations in the region to track down the perpetrators and restore calm.
