Gun-toting gangs have persisted in defying police and creating havoc in the area that has endured decades of conflict as the operation to drive out bandits in the North Rift got underway on Friday.

 Pokot Bandits in action

At least five individuals have died due to attacks carried out by bandits in Samburu and Isiolo counties in just three days.

Following the Saturday bandit killings of three persons, including a police reserve, Isiolo citizens organized protests on Sunday in the town.

The victims perished when the bandits raided the Mlango region in Isiolo's Burat ward.

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Officials reported that at least 200 cattle were raided away by the attackers, who ought to have crossed from the nearby Samburu county.

The assault happened after a similar assault in the Loruko area claimed the lives of two other persons.

PHOTO | COURTESY Interior CS Kindiki Kithure leads the KDF soldiers 

On Friday, suspected bandits attacked a community near Samburu before robbing one of the locals of 30 goats.

Samburu is one of the seven counties subject to a dusk-to-dawn curfew as police units supported by Kenya Defense Forces soldiers work to restore order.

West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Laikipia, Baringo, and Turkana are additional counties.

A Three-Day Deadline

Few illicit weapons have been turned over to police thus far, despite the government providing a three-day amnesty period.

The local authorities turned up eight rifles and 19 rounds of ammunition to the police on Sunday in Samburu County.

Six AK-47s, one Caribbean, and one SHE was among the weapons.

Elders from Bendera Village responded to the government order by delivering three firearms the day before to the Baragoi local administration personnel.

PHOTO | COURTESY  Interior CS Kindiki Kithure inspects fire arms

Two rifles—an AK-47 loaded with an empty magazine and a G3 loaded with three rounds of ammunition—were given to the Baragoi Police Station by the location chief and assistant chief of Baragoi.

A second Elbarta Location administrator gave the same police station a G3 rifle equipped with an empty magazine while being escorted by the assistant chief.