Samburu Council of Elders Association has called for urgent investigations into a security operation in the Losesia area, Samburu East, following reports of injured herders and killings of livestock.

In a press statement, the Council, led by the Patron, Retired Col. Richard Leyiagu, condemned what it termed as the shooting and injuring of innocent herders and the killing and confiscation of livestock during the operation in Waso Ward.

According to the elders, the operation was conducted in the Losesia area of Waso Ward, Samburu East Constituency, and has left pastoralist families in distress.

“The incidents have worsened the suffering of pastoralist families already struggling with drought, leaving some households unable to meet their basic needs,” the statement read in part.

The Council is now demanding swift action from oversight agencies and has further called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to thoroughly investigate the conduct of security personnel involved in the operation and to take immediate disciplinary action where wrongdoing is established.

The elders further urged the national government to urgently compensate affected residents for losses incurred, including injured persons and lost livestock.

The Association further sought the intervention of international and national rights bodies and called upon Amnesty International to provide legal assistance to the affected herders and asked the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) to investigate the alleged injustices committed during the operation.

By press time, security agencies involved in the operation had not issued a response to the allegations.

By Timothy Lewarani