Bandits lay siege on villages in border row

Armed bandits have laid siege on two disputed villages, triggering fears over the villagers’ security and welfare.

Two people are reported to have been killed by the bandits, believed to be Pokot militia.

On Tuesday, journalists and officials of the Kenya Red Cross were blocked from accessing Lorogon and Nakwamoru villages being claimed by Pokot and Turkanas.

The bandits blocked and dug trenches across the road from Turkwel to Lorogon, Nakwamoru, Lomerimundang’, Kabelpock and Narwamoron.

“We cannot access the villages to distribute food and water or offer medical services. All that we can hear are gunshots as the two warring communities exchange fire,” said Mr Kennedy Mulama, Red Cross Turkana County manager.

The Nation team encountered roadblocks on the Turkwel-Lorogon road as the Red Cross officials warned of an looming humanitarian crisis.

Lorogon Primary school head teacher Mr James Ekwom said his school has been closed and pupils escorted back home by police reservists.

The school has a population of 695 pupils.

Their teachers too have left the school to seek refuge until the bandits are flushed out.

On Monday morning, Lauruto Engelokapel, 22, a Lorogon villager, was shot dead as he went to relieve himself in the morning.

And on Tuesday, a 60-year-old woman was shot dead by bandits while she was going to check on her charcoal mound , 200 metres away from her manyatta.

Kaputir Location Chief Charles Lopuya gave the woman’s name as Mrs Ikol Erot.

Turkana South Sub-county Commissioner Elijah Kodo termed the situation in the region as tense.

He said he was consulting his West Pokot counterpart on how to move in and clear the road for transport to resume.

Reported by Barnabas Bii, Sammy Lutta and Dennis Lubanga