Local administrators have issued a statement regarding the brutal murder of Senior Principal Chief Stephen Rungare Letoluai of Samburu County.
Letoluai was shot dead in the Ikek-Sabuki area after gunmen raided a village in Samburu county. Two other civilians were killed during the attack.
In a statement seen by K24 Digital, the chiefs expressed disappointment and strongly condemned the perpetrators for the heinous act and pledged to stand in solidarity to fight banditry in the region.
"It is in extreme anguish that we received the sad news of the brutal murder of our colleague Snr. Principal Chief Stephen Rungare Letoluai who was killed today by bandits in Samburu County," the statement reads in parts.
"We (Chiefs) strongly condemn those perpetuating these acts of lawlessness in Samburu and its environs. In the same breath, we unequivocally stand in solidarity with the patriotic gallant security officers and NGAOs involved in the fight against banditry in the affected areas," the statement added.
Additionally, the administrators affirmed that the death of their colleague has only strengthened their resolve to fight banditry in the region.
They also urged residents to unite with the government by providing relevant information to end banditry in the affected areas.
"We implore the local residents to continue partnering with the government in intelligence gathering and sharing to enable the government to leverage on the actionable intelligence to detect and stop the bandits from harming them. The government is for all intents and purposes determined to nip banditry in the bud. This war against lawlessness MUST be won at all costs," they said.
"To the gun-wielding criminals; you won't go far in this. It's a matter of when and not whether the law will catch up with you. Violence is the last refuge of an incompetent and cowardly fool and nothing good ever comes of it. Violent excitement exhausts the mind and leaves it withered and sterile. Your days here on earth as criminals are numbered," they added.
