General Service Unit (GSU) officers have been deployed to trace suspected bandits who shot and killed a woman in Nakwamoru village, along the Turkana-West Pokot border on Thursday.
The woman, 55-year-old Nakure Edapal was reportedly shot dead by the assailants while collecting firewood in the village and was in the company of another woman who managed to escape unhurt.
The incident was confirmed by Turkana South OCPD Robert Kibuchi, who said that a search for the attackers has began.
"She was in the company of another woman who was not hurt," the police boss said.
Turkana South lawmaker James Lomenen called upon the state to secure the region, noting that security has completely deteriorated, leaving locals at the mercy of the bandits.
He added that the situation has been worsened by the withdrawal of weapons initially possessed by Kenya Police Reservists who have been playing a major role in securing the zone.
"The state should beef up security to protect lives and property. Security is the residents' right, not a privilege. The villagers have been left at the mercy of bandits armed with illegal firearms," said the lawmaker.
He said that schools and other institutions in the area have been closed down due to security fears.