Protests erupted in Isiolo Town on Thursday morning as five people killed in a bandit attack in Gotu were laid to rest.

According to Daily Nation, the five included two police officers, a National Police Reservist and two elders who were killed in an ambush on Wednesday.

Residents took to the streets and blocked the busy Isiolo-Moyale highway to protest rising insecurity in the county.

According to a report by Nation Africa, the residents burned tyres and placed stones on the road near Kambi Gabra, disrupting transport along the A2 highway. Anti-riot police later intervened to restore order.

The attack happened on Wednesday, September 16, 2025, in Gotu area, Ngaremara Ward.

According to Nairobi News, the victims were part of a team that had accompanied elders to search for the body of an elderly man who had been killed two days earlier.

Isiolo County Police Commander Isaac Sang confirmed the incident.

As quoted by Daily Nation, Sang said:

 "The elders had joined security officers and other members of the community to search for the body of an elderly man who was killed after going missing two days ago. We are pursuing the criminals."

According to Nation Africa, among those killed is a Chief Inspector attached to the Gotu Administration Police Rapid Deployment Unit camp. The officer had just returned from the Haiti peace mission.

The five victims were buried on Thursday morning, September 17, in line with Muslim burial practices.

According to Daily Nation, residents accused the government of allowing armed bandits to operate freely despite the ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu.

Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo condemned the attack.

As reported by Nation Africa, Governor Guyo said: "I am deeply saddened by the tragic attack reported in Gotu, Ngaremara Ward, in which five people, including two police officers, one National Police Reservist and two elders, lost their lives."

He sent condolences to the families of the victims and appealed to residents to remain calm as security agencies pursue the attackers.

According to Sahifa.co.ke, Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo also called for urgent government intervention to protect residents.

She said: "We have three people killed this morning in Isiolo County. I hope a serious intervention is going to be done."

According to Daily Nation, the incident comes a week after another police officer was gunned down while on patrol in Burat Ward.

The area is among counties covered by Operation Maliza Uhalifu, a government security initiative targeting banditry in northern Kenya.

Security teams led by Eastern Regional Police Commander Stephen Chebet have been deployed to Gotu to pursue the attackers.

The government is yet to issue a comprehensive statement on the rising bandit attacks in Isiolo County.