Nairobi — The Head of World Food Programme (WFP) in Lokichogio has been shot dead.

The assailants ambushed Mr Silence Chirara, a Zimbabwean national, on Wednesday night shortly after dropping a female colleague at the gate of Lokichogio Airport.

He was from attending a Kenya Civil Aviation Authority meeting in preparation for the commissioning of the airport's control tower.

The meeting was addressed by the KCAA Director General Mr Chris Kuto and was attended by the Director of East African School of Aviation, Mr Timothy Waweru.

Seven spent cartridges were found in his car.

The body of Chirara was flown to Nairobi on Thursday morning and was received by relatives and friends at Wilson Airport.

The killing of the WFP top official has complicated matters in Lokichogio and is expected to fuel further exodus of United Nation agencies that have threatened to move to Juba, Southern Sudan, citing insecurity.

Area MP and Minister for Labour Mr John Munyes wants the Government to deploy more security personnel.

"The situation is worrying, killing an innocent man who was serving the community is an unfortunate incident," said the minister

Speaking to the residents during the official launch of the airport's control tower, the minister asked the residence to show cause why an airport should be fitted with state of the art equipment while no body would use it due to insecurity.

He assured the UN agencies that the mater was being addressed and soon, an amicable solution would be found.

"I appeal to you not to abandon us as we are addressing the matter seriously," he said.

He said they have lost a dedicated man, who gave out his life for the service of the people.

The area DO Mr Peter Wanyonyi told The Saturday Standard in Lokichogio that investigation into the killing had been launched.

Wanyonyi said there are many illegal guns in the wrong hands and said it was a high time the Government recovered them.