A Form Two student has died from injuries sustained in a recent banditry attack in Ntimaru, Migori County, intensifying concerns over rising insecurity in the region. The 16-year-old, a student at St. Joseph Ntimaru Secondary School, succumbed to bullet wounds while receiving treatment at a hospital in Kisumu. He had been rushed there following the October 22, 2025, shooting incident, during which armed assailants raided the area and made away with several livestock.
The incident has left the community in deep sorrow and fear, as residents continue to grapple with persistent cattle rustling and armed attacks that have plagued parts of Migori and neighboring regions. Police reports indicate that the boy’s body has been transferred to a local mortuary pending an autopsy as investigations continue.
Authorities have expressed growing concern over the resurgence of banditry, noting that armed criminals are taking advantage of weak security networks to terrorize residents. Some locals have reportedly resorted to acquiring illegal firearms for self-defense and retaliatory attacks, further escalating the tension in the area.
In response to the tragedy and other similar incidents, additional security personnel have been deployed to Ntimaru and surrounding areas to restore order and prevent further raids. Security agencies have also intensified operations to track stolen livestock and dismantle the criminal networks involved in the illicit trade. Officials revealed that many of the stolen animals are sold in distant markets, making recovery efforts difficult.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Doldol, Laikipia County, a member of the National Police Reserve accidentally shot and injured his four-year-old daughter. The child sustained gunshot wounds to the hand and rib cage and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she remains in stable condition. Preliminary investigations indicate that the officer’s firearm discharged accidentally as he attempted to scare off suspected bandits.
The government has continued to expand its anti-banditry initiatives, including deradicalization programs aimed at individuals in possession of illegal firearms. Over the past two months, more than 300 firearms and 3,000 rounds of ammunition have been surrendered across various counties. Authorities are also promoting long-term peace by investing in development programs, subsidized farm inputs, and livelihood support to stabilize communities affected by the violence.
