Isiolo Protests Erupt After Five Killed in Gotu Ambush, Including Two Police Officers

ISIOLO, Kenya — Anger over persistent insecurity spilled onto the streets of Isiolo on Thursday after five people, including two police officers, were killed in a suspected bandit ambush in Gotu.

Protesters blocked sections of the Isiolo-Moyale A2 highway, burning tyres and placing stones and debris on the road as they demanded stronger action against armed groups operating in the county.

The demonstrations came less than 24 hours after the deadly attack in Gotu, where a team involved in a security operation was ambushed.

The road blockade disrupted traffic along one of northern Kenya's key transport corridors, with motorists forced to stop as tensions rose.

Video footage from the scene showed large crowds gathered along the highway, with protesters chanting and demanding government intervention over insecurity.

Five killed in Gotu ambush

The deaths occurred on Wednesday, September 16, after a team went into the Gotu area following reports of livestock theft and the killing of a man.

Police said the team was pursuing suspected livestock thieves when armed men ambushed them.

The dead included two Anti-Stock Theft Unit officers, a member of the National Police Reserve and two civilians, according to police reports.

The circumstances leading to the operation have been reported slightly differently.

Isiolo County Police Commander Isaac Sang said a man had been reported missing after allegedly losing his way in the area. Relatives sought help from police to locate him.

A search operation was subsequently mounted.

Other reports indicate that the group was also pursuing suspected livestock thieves following an earlier cattle theft.

What is not in dispute is that the team came under attack and five people were killed.

The assailants fled before additional security officers reached the scene, according to police.

Eastern Regional Police Commander Stephen Chebet later led a security team to the area as efforts to trace the attackers continued.

Senior officer recently returned from Haiti

Among those killed was Chief Inspector Aden Somo, an Anti-Stock Theft Unit commander.

Somo had recently returned to Kenya after serving for about two years on an international security mission in Haiti, according to colleagues quoted by The Star.

His colleagues described him as a respected officer and mentor who had commanded his team professionally.

Police Constable Bethwel Kibet and National Police Reservist Abdi Rahman were also killed, alongside civilians Abdi Kadir Abdulahi and Billow Isaack.

The deaths have added to concerns over the risks facing both residents and security officers working in Isiolo's grazing areas.

Residents demand action

Thursday's protests reflect growing frustration in communities that have repeatedly experienced cattle raids, armed clashes and loss of life.

The latest demonstrations came after another fatal incident earlier this month.

On September 3, a ranger was shot dead during cattle raids in Burat, while two boys were wounded as suspected rustlers were pursued. Local leaders subsequently called for increased security in the area.

A separate cattle-rustling incident was reported in neighbouring Igembe Central, Meru County, on September 15. Police said more than 120 cattle had been stolen and that a herdsman was shot during the incident. He later died from his injuries.

The sequence of incidents has intensified calls for authorities to address the insecurity along the Isiolo-Meru-Samburu border areas.

Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo described Gotu as a security hotspot and called for urgent intervention.

“It’s a bit sensitive, and it’s urgent,” Dullo told the Senate, while calling for stronger security measures in the area.

Governor calls for stronger security response

Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo condemned the Gotu killings and called for increased security operations.

He described the deaths as “deeply saddening and unacceptable”, saying repeated attacks were creating fear and disrupting livelihoods.

“The people of Isiolo deserve to live and work in peace and security,” Guyo said.

He called on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and national security agencies to strengthen patrols and intelligence gathering in Gotu and surrounding areas.

“We must act urgently and decisively to prevent further loss of innocent lives,” the governor said.

Government operation faces fresh test

Isiolo is among the counties covered by Operation Maliza Uhalifu, a government security operation targeting banditry and cattle rustling.

The operation also covers Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu and Marsabit.

The government has said its response must go beyond security operations, with longer-term measures aimed at addressing the conditions that allow cattle rustling and armed conflict to persist.

But the latest killings have put renewed pressure on security agencies to demonstrate that those measures are reaching some of the most affected communities.

For residents of Isiolo, the issue is immediate.

The latest attack has not only claimed five lives. It has once again disrupted movement, raised fears among pastoralist communities and pushed residents onto the streets demanding answers.

Authorities are now under pressure to identify those behind the Gotu attack and prevent another cycle of retaliation and loss of life.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.