Laikipia County has been plunged into fear and flight after a three-day wave of banditry attacks in Naibung’a, Salamba, and Sek villages, where armed assailants stole more than 1,400 head of livestock and left two men with gunshot wounds.
The violence, which began Sunday night and continued through Tuesday, forced hundreds of residents to flee their homes on Wednesday, turning the once-bustling Doldol into a ghost town.
“We Haven’t Slept”: Survivors Speak
Residents described nights of terror as gunfire echoed through their homesteads.
Damaris Saikong recounted:
“Last night I didn’t sleep. People came, shot guns, took goats belonging to six mothers just nearby. They almost shot my dog inside my homestead.”
Philip Sariayo, who narrowly escaped, said two adult men are now receiving treatment at Doldol Sub-County Hospital for gunshot wounds sustained in the attack.
“We were attacked around 8 p.m. We were shot at. I managed to escape, but some were caught still inside where we were staying.”
Livestock Wiped Out
The worst raid happened Monday night, when over 600 animals were driven away. Attackers returned Tuesday, making off with another 300 goats.
James Ledepe summed up the loss:
“Those 600 goats—we haven’t recovered even one. Right now we are leaving. I don’t even know where we’re going.”
A Community Displaced
Hundreds have now fled—women and children sheltering at Soit Oudo Primary School, while men move remaining herds to uncertain safety.
Mereki Leitiko voiced the community’s desperation:
“We have no good government. It’s only God. Only God is who I see as my government.”
“We Warned Them”: Accusations of Security Failure
Locals accuse police and security agencies operating near Mukogodo Forest of ignoring multiple alerts about planned attacks.
Despite providing intelligence on looming raids, no preventive action was taken—a lapse that has fueled anger and feelings of abandonment.
Calls for Urgent Action
With tension still high and rumors of another imminent attack, residents are pleading for immediate government intervention to restore security, recover stolen livestock, and allow displaced families to return home.
