A shooting incident in Garbatulla, Isiolo County, has left one person dead and another seriously injured as security concerns continue to grip the region. The attack, which occurred on Monday night at Yaq Barsadi shopping centre, was carried out by a lone gunman armed with an AK-47 rifle, police confirmed.
The victim, identified as Galgalo Agula, was shot and killed on the spot, while the second victim sustained a gunshot wound to the left arm. The injured man was rushed to the hospital in serious but stable condition, authorities said.
According to Isiolo County Police Commander Moses Mutisya, investigations into the attack are ongoing. He noted that the assailant emerged from a nearby thicket and opened fire on the victims, who were standing outside a kiosk. The motive behind the attack remains unclear.
The area along the Kulamawe-Kachuru road, where the shooting took place, is notorious for insecurity. Criminals and bandits have been using this route to escape towards Samburu and Marsabit, making it a high-risk zone for residents and travelers.
Elsewhere, in Makutano, Tharaka Nithi County, another act of violence was reported on the same night. Armed bandits raided a home, slashed the owner with a panga, and stole over 20 goats before fleeing in a getaway vehicle. No recovery has been made so far, but police have launched an operation to track down the suspects.
Livestock theft and violent attacks have become increasingly common in parts of central and northern Kenya, prompting government intervention. In response to escalating banditry, the government expanded Operation Maliza Uhalifu to include Meru and Tharaka Nithi.
Operation Maliza Uhalifu was launched in February 2023 to combat cattle rustling, banditry, and violence in the North Rift region. Initially targeting Marsabit, Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia, and Samburu, the operation brought together the National Police Service (NPS) and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in a joint effort to restore peace.
The operation designated hot spots in these counties as “Disturbed” and “Dangerous” to justify a heightened security presence. However, with banditry spreading beyond the initial target areas, the operation has now been extended to other regions, including Meru and Tharaka Nithi.
As security forces intensify crackdowns, residents hope for a lasting solution to the persistent violence that continues to claim lives and disrupt livelihoods.
