Heavy gunfire erupted following Deputy President William Ruto's Friday rally in Elgeyo Marakwet after bandits attacked the area a few hours following Ruto's visit.
At least 30 assailants allegedly from the Pokot community ambushed herders near the Turkwel power lines just some kilometres from where the DP had held his pro-peace rally.
Residents said that the assailants were however countered by police officers deployed in the area, leading to a heavy shootout that took hours to stop.
"The raiders laid an ambush and were targeting larger herds of cattle. The police were of great help to the herders who were already under siege," said one of the residents as quoted by a local media site.
Elgeyo-Marakwet Deputy County Commissioner Erick Mlevu confirmed the incident and added that the assailants who were wielding AK 47 rifles eventually escaped to Central Pokot after being overpowered by his forces.
“These must be very daring people. Now that they are proving to be naughty, they are courting trouble and they will learn the hard way," warned Mlevu.