The attack occurred along the Kitale-Lodwar highway at Kaakong, around 5 km from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) camp towards Kalong, at approximately 4 pm.
The officers, who were on patrol, were drawn from various branches of the police, including the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), General Service Unit, and regular police from Kainuk and Lokichar stations.
They were escorting a convoy of vehicles when the bandits, reportedly numbering around 300, launched a coordinated attack from the bush.
A fierce gunfight lasting more than two hours erupted as the officers tried to repel the attackers. Eyewitnesses and a passenger traveling in the convoy captured footage showing the scale of the ambush.
By the end of the encounter, three officers had been killed, one was reported missing, and eight others, including three senior officers leading the operation, sustained gunshot injuries.
The body of a missing policeman was later recovered on Saturday evening.
The attack also left a civilian passenger injured. The wounded were rushed to Kainuk Health Centre for immediate care and later referred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret for further treatment.
In addition to the casualties, three police Land Cruisers used in the patrol were damaged. Bandits deflated the tyres and destroyed parts of the vehicles after the officers disembarked to pursue the attackers into the bush.
This incident has heightened concerns about the security situation in Turkana North, a region that has faced repeated banditry and violent raids in recent years.
Local authorities have launched an investigation into the ambush, while security forces are tracking the bandits involved.
The police have appealed to residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to help prevent further attacks.
The brutal killing of three officers in Turkana North marks another tragic chapter in the fight against banditry, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures, improved road safety, and better support for officers operating in high-risk areas.
Families and colleagues of the fallen officers continue to mourn their loss, while the nation calls for swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice.