The government has beefed up security in Turkana East following a banditry attack which left 11 people dead.
The victims of the Saturday evening incident were eight police officers, a chief, and two civilians.
According to the National Police Service in a statement, the bandit suspects were being pursued after stealing livestock from Kakiteitei village in Turkana East.
Further in the statement, the NPS revealed that a multi-agency security operation has been launched in the village to arrest the perpetrators, recover the stolen animals and firearms, and return normalcy to the area.
“A multi-agency security operation has today been launched in the area to arrest the perpetrators, recover the stolen animals and firearms, and return normalcy to the area” said police spokesperson Bruno Shioso in a statement.
The statement further read “Such acts of criminality and impunity shall not be tolerated and must be brought to an end at all cost. As such, bandits terrorizing innocent people have been put on notice, As such, bandits terrorizing innocent people have been put on notice”.
The government is now calling upon residents to cooperate with the security team by giving out information that may lead to the arrest of criminals and the recovery of stolen animals.
Meanwhile, after receiving a comprehensive report on what transpired Saturday, President William Ruto ordered an all-out ambush against the perpetrators.
“I have instructed security agencies to deal firmly, decisively, and conclusively with those involved.” He said in a statement.
The region is among those hit hard by the prolonged ravaging effects of drought which has left residents trekking for kilometers in search of water.
The situation has been worsened by banditry suspects who steal their livestock and also kill residents.