At least four people have been killed in a fresh cattle rustling attack in Nolkerra, Samburu West, barely a day after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen toured the area and pledged renewed efforts to restore peace and end banditry.

The deadly incident has heightened concerns over the resurgence of livestock theft and insecurity in parts of Samburu West and North despite ongoing government security operations.

Samburu Central Police Commander John Mwai confirmed the incident, saying four people, including a National Police Reservist, lost their lives during the attack.

Security officers have since been deployed to the area to restore normalcy as investigations into the incident continue.

“A Police Reservist is one of the four people who died in the incident. Our officers are on the ground to restore normalcy,” Mr Mwai told TV47 digital.

The attack comes just hours after CS Murkomen assured residents that the government would strengthen security measures, including sustained operations targeting armed bandits responsible for cattle rustling and deadly attacks across the region.

The CS revealed that the government is set to deploy the elite Special Operations Group (SOG) to Samburu County as part of renewed efforts to contain the resurgence of banditry and cattle rustling in the region.

In a statement following the Friday evening incident, Mr Murkomen assured locals in Samburu West, that the State will intensify intelligence-led security operations following renewed reports of bandit attacks in the area.

The CS was speaking during a meeting with elders in Uasin Gishu County on Friday

“I want to assure you that this is the beginning of the end. It is always darkest before dawn. I want to promise you that we will end this menace through sustained intelligence-led operations. We will continue these operations until the job is done,” the CS said.