Tension is building up along the West Pokot and Turkana counties border after a 19-year-old man was on Monday October 27, 2025 fatally shot by suspected bandits at Sarmach while on his way to Turkwel. 

The deceased identified as Ikai Ekkaraan from Logonguma village in Turkana South Sub County met his death on Monday morning at around 8am.

Confirming the incident, Pokot Central Sub-County police commandant Nelson Omwenga said, the deceased was on his way to Turkwel area before he was ambushed and fatally shot by a group of suspected armed bandits who had camped at the area. 

“A multi-agency team has been deployed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the matter to establish the cause of this incident, we are however calling on the local community to remain calm as we work on the matter, ” said Mr. Omwenga. 

Following the incident, tension remains high in the area as residents flee, fearing for their lives.

Residents who are now hiding in caves and bushes are appealing to the government to nab the perpetrators and bring them to book.

They pointed fingers at the security team deployed in the area of what they termed as laxity and not responding to attacks on time.

Sigor Member of Parliament Peter Lochakapong while condemning the incident,  called on the security team to move with speed and restore calm in the area.

He said if immediate action is not taken, perpetrators will start attacking passengers and other travellers using the Kitale-Kapenguria-Lodwar road.

The body of the deceased was removed from the scene and taken to a local health facility in Kainuk.