6 police officers killed
The slain officers were ambushed by over 100 bandits.
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The six were ambushed by over 100 bandits on Wednesday evening along the Baringo-Laikipia border.
The slain police officers were part of a contingent that was conducting a security patrol in Kamwenje area, Laikipia West when they were ambushed by bandits who had hidden in a bush at the Laikipia Nature Conservancy.
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Four other police officers sustained serious injuries during the ambush and were airlifted to Nairobi for treatment.
Among those killed was the Anti-Stock Theft Training Unit (ASTTU) Gilgil Deputy County Commander and a Staffing Officer in charge of operations.
While confirming the incident, County commissioner Onesmus Mwaniki said the affected officers were based at Kamwenje patrol base in Laikipia West.
"The county commander is heading to the ground and will issue comprehensive statement," Mwaniki said.
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The bandits made away with five G3 riffles, an AK-47 gun and one Jericho pistol during the attack.
Laikipia County has been hit by a wave of violent attacks in recent months as armed cattle herders searching for scarce grazing have driven tens of thousands of cattle onto private farms and ranches.
At least a dozen people have been killed in the string of attacks by armed herders.
Last month, The Sosian Lodge in the county was closed indefinitely after continued attacks by bandits led to loss of lives and destruction of property worth millions of shillings.
Earlier that same month, two game rangers were shot dead in the county while on a mission to recover stolen cattle.
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In April, the herders shot re-known author and conservationist Kuki Gallmann at her 100,000 acre Laikipia Nature Conservancy.
In March, herders shot and killed Sosian Ranch co-owner Tristan Voorspuy while he was inspecting a burnt lodge in the expansive 24,000 acre ranch.
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