Senior cop who served in Haiti among five killed in Isiolo ambush

Chief Inspector Adan Isaak Somo had returned home from one of Kenya’s most dangerous overseas policing missions.

Months later, he was killed on Kenyan soil while pursuing suspected livestock thieves in Isiolo.

Somo was among five people killed when an armed group ambushed a team in Gotu, Isiolo County, on Wednesday, September 16.

His death has brought fresh attention to the security risks facing police and communities in northern Kenya, where cattle theft and armed banditry continue to fuel deadly clashes.

Somo was attached to the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) and was commanding the team when it came under attack, according to colleagues and reports from the area. Two police officers, a National Police Reservist and two civilians died in the incident.

His colleagues described him as a disciplined officer and respected commander.

“He was a good officer, a respected leader and a mentor to many,” one colleague said.

From Haiti to Isiolo

Somo had served in Haiti as part of Kenya’s involvement in the Multinational Security Support Mission, which was set up to help the Haitian National Police confront armed gangs and restore security.

The Kenyan-led mission was authorised by the UN Security Council, with Kenyan officers deployed from 2024. The National Police Service says officers from specialised units, including ASTU, were among those prepared for the mission.

Kenya began drawing down its Haiti contingent in late 2025 and early 2026. The Ministry of Interior said 653 Kenyan officers had returned home by March 24, 2026, following the arrival of the latest group of 208 officers.

Colleagues said Somo had spent about two years on the Haiti mission before returning to Kenya earlier this year.

His return was followed by a return to domestic policing duties. He was later killed while leading an operation against suspected livestock thieves in an area already facing persistent insecurity.

How the Gotu attack unfolded

Police said the ASTU team was pursuing suspected bandits who had stolen livestock when armed attackers ambushed them around the Merti-Losessia junction in Gotu.

The attackers fled before responding officers arrived, according to reports.

Eastern Regional Police Commander Stephen Chebet subsequently led a security team to the area as authorities began efforts to establish what happened and track down those responsible.

Reports also indicate that the attackers took two firearms from the victims before escaping.

The other people killed were police constable Bethwel Kibet, National Police Reservist Abdi Rahman and civilians Abdi Kadir Abdulahi and Billow Isaack.

The circumstances surrounding the movement of the civilians and the security team have been reported differently. Earlier accounts said the group was pursuing livestock thieves, while other reports linked the operation to a search for a missing herder. Police accounts cited in the latest reporting have focused on the livestock theft operation.

Another deadly cattle raid a day earlier

The Gotu killings came as neighbouring Meru County was dealing with another deadly cattle-rustling incident.

On September 15, more than 120 cattle were reportedly stolen in Igembe Central.

During the raid, herdsman Haron Mwira was shot in the left knee. He was taken to Guardian Hospital in Kangeta but later died from heavy blood loss, according to reports. His body was transferred to Nyambene Sub-County Hospital mortuary pending an autopsy.

The two incidents, less than 24 hours apart, have renewed concerns over the movement of armed livestock raiders across the wider Isiolo-Meru security corridor.

Isiolo and Meru are among areas covered by Operation Maliza Uhalifu, the multi-agency government security operation targeting banditry and cattle rustling.

The National Police Service says the operation, which has been running since 2023, involves police, the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Reservists, administrators and other agencies. It has also included livestock recovery and community engagement.

In August, the Kenya Defence Forces said an engagement involving communities from Samburu East, Isiolo North and Laikipia North had focused on the causes of insecurity, cattle rustling and banditry, including the need for community-led solutions.

The government has also said the security response must go beyond armed operations and include measures that help communities pursue legitimate economic activities.

Governor demands stronger security response

Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo condemned the Gotu attack and called for an immediate strengthening of security operations in the area.

He said repeated attacks were creating fear, disrupting livelihoods and undermining peace in communities.

“The people of Isiolo deserve to live and work in peace and security,” Guyo said, urging national security agencies to intensify patrols and intelligence gathering.

His remarks were echoed by calls from local leaders for a stronger response to insecurity in Gotu and neighbouring areas.

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

The latest deaths therefore raise a difficult question for the ongoing security operation: how to prevent armed livestock raids from turning into deadly confrontations involving both civilians and the officers sent to protect them.

For Somo’s colleagues, however, the immediate focus is on a fallen officer they say devoted his career to that responsibility.

A colleague described him as a brave and dedicated officer.

“He was a respected leader and a mentor to many,” the officer said.

Somo's death now adds the loss of a senior police commander to a growing list of casualties in a region where cattle, security and livelihoods remain closely intertwined.

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.