A nurse was found dead after being fatally shot in an attack in a village near Lodwar, Turkana County.
Police reported that the incident occurred on Saturday night between Loiya and Lorengippi. The body of 35-year-old Johnson Aparinga, who worked at the Loiya Health Center, was discovered beside the road, with blood coming from his head, mouth, and back.
He had multiple gunshot wounds, and his motorcycle was found next to him. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and the assailants fled the scene. Authorities have moved the body to the Lodwar morgue for an autopsy and further investigation.
Locals described Aparinga as a reliable officer. The area has experienced similar gun attacks, often related to retaliatory violence from cattle rustling incidents.
In response, authorities are engaging village elders to seek an amicable resolution and have vowed to bring the attackers to justice.
To combat the issue of illegal firearms, the government has been conducting disarmament exercises and implementing various development projects to divert local focus away from cattle rustling.
Police have also increased patrols in the region to mitigate fears of potential retaliation from raiders. The area has been plagued by frequent attacks, resulting in numerous deaths, injuries, and displacement, all of which have hindered development efforts.
Currently, the region is under a police operation aimed at recovering illegal weapons from civilians. This operation, known as Operation Komesha Uhalifu North Rift, began three months ago and involves multi-agency teams across several counties, including Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit, and Isiolo.
In addition to retributive measures, the government is prioritizing strategic investments and sustainable development as part of its crime control strategy for Kenya’s Northern frontier and the Kerio Valley region.
