Former Antubetwe Kiongo ward MCA George Kaliunga was at the weekend killed in a banditry attack in Meru County.
Police said Kaliunga was killed by bandits believed to be from neighboring Isiolo county as he went after his stolen livestock.
He was pronounced dead on arrival at Maua Hospital on Sunday evening after he was shot in the chest.
Kaliunga had accompanied police officers who went after his stolen livestock in the ward in the Igembe South constituency.
The former MCA was shot at Kinna, Isiolo County when he was in the company of Meru police officers.
They were following up on his 71 stolen goats, officials said.
Mutuati police boss William Letting said the goats had been stolen from Malaene.
“We were ambushed as we pursued them using their footprints. Kaliunga was shot because he was in front of us,” he said.
He said the bandits took off after a brief exchange as they rushed the former MCA to the hospital.
Igembe North MP Julius Taitumu condoled with the family.
“Let Interior CS Kithure Kindiki know that we are uncomfortable or happy with what is happening, especially in Igembe North constituency,” Taitumu said.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi said acts of banditry within pastoral communities must come to an end by all means to safeguard the lives of our farmers and their livestock.
“Kaliunga represented the people of Antubetwe Kiongo Ward with uniqueness and courteousness,” he said.
Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya said the deceased was an astute leader in the community who always championed the community’s interests.
Kindiki is expected to tour the area on Tuesday, May 2 as part of efforts to reassure locals of their security.
This comes barely a week after two herders were shot dead and another critically injured in Mutuati, Igembe North constituency.
A Meru County government ranger was shot dead as he pursued cattle rustlers in Isiolo.