Tension high as rustlers burn houses in attack
A man herds cows around Lake Bogoria National Reserve in Baringo County on January 21, 2014. Livestock farmers can now access interest-free loans courtesy of a Sh300 million project launched by the county government. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- The raiders, believed to be from East Pokot, struck Kiserian in Baringo South Sub-County in search of water and pasture for their livestock.
- Local leaders led by Baringo South MP Grace Kipchoim and Mukutani ward Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Renson Parkei accused police of failing to protect the villagers.
Tension is high in Makutani following the torching of several houses during a raid.
The raiders, believed to be from East Pokot, struck Kiserian in Baringo South Sub-County in search of water and pasture for their livestock.
The burnt houses belong to residents who fled the area last year due to insecurity and had just rebuilt them. The conflict was sparked by last week’s incident in which Ilchamus herders detained cows belonging to Pokot herdsmen which had crossed over to Mukutani division.
TRIBAL ANIMOSITY
Local leaders led by Baringo South MP Grace Kipchoim and Mukutani ward Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Renson Parkei accused police of failing to protect the villagers.
“What is the government doing when one community can invade another’s land yet it has all the machinery to restore order in the area?” posed Ms Kipchoim, adding that the issue may spark tribal animosity if not handled carefully.
Baringo County Commissioner Benard Leparmarai, who toured the area yesterday in the company of Tiaty Sub-County Commissioner Daniel Kurui, confirmed that three houses were set ablaze over the weekend.
“We have deployed enough police to restore calm. We are also liaising with elders from the two communities to unite them. They are competing for pasture and water. Drought has led to the drying of major water sources,” Mr Leparmarai told the Nation.
