At least five people, including two police officers, were killed on Wednesday in an ambush in Gotu, Isiolo County, eastern Kenya, according to police.

According to Eastern Regional Police Commander Stephen Chebet, the victims were attacked in the morning while taking part in an operation to track down and recover stolen livestock.

The gunmen fled the area before security reinforcements arrived, police said.

Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo described the deaths as "deeply saddening and unacceptable," saying continued bandit attacks were creating fear among residents, disrupting pastoralist livelihoods and undermining peace along the region's volatile border corridors.

The incident came a day after an armed cattle-rustling attack in neighboring Igembe Central, Meru County.

Police said a local herdsman was killed and another injured after armed raiders attacked the area and stole more than 120 cattle. The injured herder was shot in the left knee.

The two incidents have renewed concerns over insecurity along the Meru-Isiolo border, where livestock raids and armed attacks continue to affect pastoralist communities and their livelihoods.