Tension is mounting in Turkana South following two separate attacks by suspected bandits, believed to be from neighboring West Pokot County, that left two people dead and hundreds of livestock stolen.

In the first incident near the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) post in Kainuk, an elderly herder was ambushed and killed while tending his goats. The attackers, said to be heavily armed, reportedly drove off with 268 goats.

The second incident occurred in Lokwar, Kaptir Ward, where a man ferrying water to gold miners was shot dead, triggering anger among residents and local leaders.

Area MP Dr. John Ariko condemned the violence, expressing alarm over the escalating insecurity and urging the national government to act swiftly. Speaking during a condolence visit to the family of the second victim, Dr. Ariko said:

“These incessant attacks are unacceptable. We are losing lives and livelihoods, and the government must act with urgency.”

Dr. Ariko also revealed plans to channel funds from the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) towards rebuilding Lokwar Primary School, which was recently torched by suspected bandits.

The school is among four institutions earmarked for reconstruction through a special programme led by the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), as announced by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

However, the MP criticized what he termed as the government’s sluggish response, both in restoring security and rebuilding critical infrastructure.

“Our children are missing school, families are mourning, and yet action remains painfully slow. This crisis demands immediate attention,” he said.

The MP questioned the effectiveness of current security deployments in the region, arguing that despite the presence of General Service Unit (GSU) and regular police officers, attacks continue unabated.

“We have full security presence here, yet killings and livestock thefts happen in plain view. This status quo is unacceptable,” said Ariko, calling for a complete overhaul of the security personnel, whom he accused of being more focused on business ventures than public safety.

He issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the multi-agency security team in the region to recover the stolen animals and apprehend the culprits.

“They must act within two days to recover all the livestock and arrest those responsible. We want justice served immediately,” he added.

Kainuk Ward MCA Samwel Aliwo Elimlim echoed the MP’s frustrations, saying residents were exhausted by the recurring violence.

“We’re tired of burying our people. Our herders are being slain as the security agencies watch helplessly. We need a radical change in how security is handled here,” he said.

Meanwhile, residents are calling for a full-scale security operation along the Turkana–West Pokot border and the deployment of additional officers to curb future attacks and restore calm in the region.