One person was shot dead, while six others, including an 11-year-old boy, sustained gunshot injuries when armed bandits attacked LMD Village in Burat ward, Isiolo County, on Sunday, June 29, 2025. 

Ten camels were also killed, while the bandits fled with 17 others during the attack that has elicited fury among members of the Somali community.  

They accused the government of neglecting them as they continue bearing the brunt of criminal activities. 

The attacks are perpetrated by bandits believed to be from the neighbouring areas of Kipsing, Oldonyiro and Samburu County. 

According to Mzee Osman Bidu, Vice Chairperson of Isiolo Somali Council of elders, who sustained a gunshot wound during the attack, the heavily armed raiders struck LMD Village at around 10 pm and shot indiscriminately, killing one person and injuring two others before making away with a herd of camels. 

A number of locals then boarded a vehicle and left in pursuit of the stolen animals, oblivious of the fact that the bandits would lay an ambush and spray bullets at the vehicle. 

Four other people who were in the vehicle, including Mzee Bidu, were lucky to escape death, but sustained gunshot wounds, bringing the total number of injured persons to six. 

Attacks continue 

Ten camels were also shot dead during the incident, while the attackers took off with 17 camels. 

The injured are receiving treatment at Isiolo County Teaching and Referral Hospital. 

Led by Osman Shariff Awkay and Anab Kassim, members of the Somali Community living in Burat accused the government of inaction, despite a huge budget that is set aside for the security department every financial year. 

“We know that money was used to procure modern equipment such as drones and armoured vehicles that were meant to help contain the banditry menace “But so far, there is nothing to show as far as enhancing security efforts in the area is concerned since attacks continue to occur in the region unabated,” said Shariff. 

They argued that members of the Somali community have borne the brunt of insecurity in Burat ward as they have buried tens of their kinsmen and lost hundreds of livestock over the last few years, with the government seemingly unable to make any recoveries or bring the attackers to book. 

Shariff called on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to take their responsibility seriously and ensure that the lives and property of Kenyans are protected.