Homes deserted for fear of attacks

Tension continues to build up in parts of Baringo and Turkana counties despite a military presence and the deployment of additional security officers in the region.

The fears of violence have been triggered by a recent attack at Chemoe in Baringo North. On Wednesday evening, bandits suspected to be from the neighbouring Tiaty sub-county raided the village at 6pm, firing bullets at deserted houses as if to confirm they were not occupied.

A man was injured on both legs after he was ambushed at Loruk trading centre on his way home.

He was taken to Kabarnet Hospital.

A motorcyclist was also ambushed at Kosile, near Ngaratuko, but he managed to escape.

The Kenya Defence Forces soldiers and Anti-Stock Theft Unit officers are patrolling the area.

KILLING OF EX-SOLDIER

And last Sunday, raiders struck Chesiran Village at midnight, burnt houses and shot an elderly woman in the legs. The attackers drove away 600 goats.

The attacks, which have been common in the region for the past one week, has forced hundreds of residents to flee from their homes in Chemoe, Ng’aratuko, Yatya, Loruk and Kagir in Baringo North.

In Baringo South, residents of Arabal and Kasiela fled after the killing of a former soldier two weeks ago.

The retired senior sergeant and his son were killed on the way from Mochongoi.

He was driving from his home at the time of the attack on suspicion that he masterminded cattle rustling in the county.

More than 50 people, including police officers, have lost their lives in the region due to insecurity.

Baringo County Commissioner Peter Okwanyo Thursday said more security officers had been posted in the hot spots.

“We have set up camps along areas prone to insecurity to curb further attacks,” Mr Okwanyo said.

The situation at Kapedo, where 19 police officers and three civilians were killed recently, and Arabal was relatively calm, he added and urged leaders from pastoral communities to promote development to improve the socio-economic status of their people. This, he said, would reduce crime.

North Rift leaders supported the government’s efforts to mop up illegal guns from pastoral communities as a way of tackling conflicts that are usually deadly over livestock.

The leaders, who include MPs Asman Kamama (Tiaty) and Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria), also want the government to involve elders in addressing insecurity.

NO BULLET PROOF VESTS

On Sunday, Baringo North MP William Cheptumo, while on a tour of the region, urged the government to deploy more security personnel in border villages, especially Chemoe, Yatya, Kagir, Ng’aratuko and Loruk in Baringo North.

Mr Cheptumo said this would curb cattle rustling, a perennial problem in the county.

The 19 Administration Police officers killed by bandits near Kapedo last month did not have protective gears, including bullet proof vests, according to security sources.

The officers did not have bullet-proof vests and were ill-prepared to confront the bandits, who are conversant with the rough terrain of the region.