Two individuals are receiving medical care for gunshot injuries at Doldol Sub-County Hospital in Laikipia County following Tuesday night’s banditry assaults on Naibung’a, Salamba, and Sek villages, where raiders seized more than 1,400 head of livestock.
The attacks, which commenced on Sunday evening and persisted through Monday and Tuesday, prompted hundreds of residents to evacuate the area on Wednesday.
Local residents accuse authorities of disregarding multiple advance warnings about an impending attack. Women and children have taken shelter at a nearby primary school, while men relocated the remaining herds to safer locations as tensions remain high in the region.
Once known for its vibrant activity, Doldol has become a ghost town, with hundreds of residents abandoning a locality that has experienced continuous attacks over the past three days.
Community members report that the most severe violence occurred on Monday night, when armed bandits absconded with more than 600 head of livestock. The perpetrators struck again on Tuesday, escaping with an additional 300 goats.
“I didn’t sleep last night. People came, they shot guns, and took away six of my neighbors’ goats. Let them shoot bullets at my government,” said Damaris Saikong.
“Those six hundred goats, we haven’t found even one. That’s when we left. I don’t know where we are going,” said James Ledepe.
“We were attacked at two in the morning. We were shot at. I escaped, but some men were captured while still inside our location,” said Philip Sariayo.
Sariayo mentioned that two adult men are currently undergoing treatment at Doldol Sub-County Hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds during the assault.
The incident triggered Wednesday’s mass exodus, as residents fled to safer regions fearing another attack.
“We have no good government. Only God. Only our God. Only God is my government,” said Mereki Leitiko.
They blamed security agencies in and around Mukogodo Forest in Laikipia North for their inaction, despite having shared reports of planned attacks.
As tension continues to affect the area, impacted residents are urging the government to take swift action to restore peace and stability, as women and children remain at Soit Oudo Primary School amid reports of an impending attack.