Bandits lock Baringo pupils out of class
Wycliff Kipsang @wsang08
Tension is high at Kapindasum in Baringo after armed bandits staged a daring attack and made away with unknown number of head of cattle despite the ongoing security operation in the area.
During the Friday night attack, the bandits surrounded a police camp in the area before driving away the animals.
Also Read:
The situation has adversely affected re-opening of schools in the area with Arabal, Chemorongion and Kapindasum primary schools yet to open after parents fled the area with their children fearing for their lives.
“We are tired of fleeing our homes. The government has the capacity to assure us of our safety,” said Rose Kiprop, a resident.
Arabal location chief William Koech said tension remains high in the area with the bandits said to be still hiding in the bushes.
Area leaders yesterday condemned the rampant attacks and urged the government to beef up security.
“Livestock keeping is the main economic mainstay of our people, who have now been rendered paupers.
We wonder why the government has been unable to curb this menace,” said Susan Chesiyna, a local politician.
The government reinstated the operation to seize illegal firearms in the banditry prone North Rift region following rampant cases of insecurity in the region.
Incessant attacks
Concerns are, however, being raised a month after an order by Rift Valley Regional Coordinator George Natembeya with incessant attacks being experienced in the area.
At least four people have been killed in Baringo South sub-county in the past one month alone.
The last attack happened a week ago where a military officer was shot dead at Mukutani at the border of Baringo South and Tiaty East sub-counties.
During the attack, unknown number bandits suspected to be from the neighbouring community ambushed the camps belonging to a multi-agency team of security personnel before firing at the officers killing one of them instantly.
According to Natembeya, the bandits, who staged the attack had fled the ongoing security operation in Laikipia West.
“The officer succumbed to the injuries while being taken to hospital. It is unfortunate that this is happening just after we reinstated the ongoing operation,” Natembeya added.
He had two months ago issued a 30 day ceasefire in the ongoing operation in Tiaty sub-county to give leaders a chance to preach peace.
He issued the directive to stop the security operation following during a meeting held at the Lake Bogoria Spa Resort where Pokot leaders among them Tiaty MP William Kamket made the request.
“We are scaling down the ongoing operation for 30 days. This follows a request by leaders to be allowed to talk to their people to maintain peace, “said Mr Natembeya.
The government rolled out the security operation to flush out bandits after a GSU operation commander was killed in Ameyan area near the porous Kapedo while two other officers were seriously injured.
The massive disarmament was being carried out in the insecurity prone hotspots of Ameyan, Paka, Silale, Nadome, Kapau, Chesitet and Kapedo.
