Two killed after attackers strike village in Turkwel

Residents of Turkwel belt along the volatile West Pokot-Turkana border are up in arms over increasing insecurity after two more people were killed by bandits at Kases Village on Saturday evening.

The two were on a motorcycle when they were shot at with one of them dying instantly while the second fled but later succumbed to gunshot wounds as he was being rushed to hospital.

Mr Longuria Lokem, the motorcycle rider, died on the spot while his passenger Mr Solomon Akumaris died on the way to hospital.

Ombolion chief Joseph Korkimul said the two were coming from Kases to Karon area when they were ambushed by armed bandits in the 5pm attack.

“One was shot on back and the other in the stomach,” said Mr Korikimul.

Mr Korikimul said Mr Akumaris died due to excessive bleeding.

The administrator said tension remained high in the area and that the raiders had an intention of attacking the villages in the area.

“Residents are now living in fear and business in not as usual,” he said.

He said that attackers escaped towards Kaagong area in the neighbouring Turkana County but didn’t manage to steal the motorbike.

Area residents, led by Mr David Domungura, have asked the government to protect the community from invaders.

“We are now tired of the killings. The government must come to our aid,” he said.

LEADERS CONDEMN KILLINGS

Area leaders, including Kacheliba Member of Parliament Mark Lomunokol have condemned the killings and called for the arrest of the culprits.

“Our people are getting finished and we wonder if they are not Kenyans who need protection,” said Mr Lomukonol.

Mr Lomunokol said there is need for the government to establish security camps in the area.

Women living along the West Pokot-Turkana border are worst affected by the frequent attacks with Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation’s West Pokot County chairlady Mrs Mary Mariach expressing concern over the harm being inflicted on women and children.

“Women and children are the most affected yet they are innocent,” she said.

Mrs Mariach said that women are always forced to migrate from place to place for fear of being killed in the fights.

“Several women and children have been killed during the fights,” she said.

Mrs Mariach said leaders from the two counties and the National Government led by the Ministry of Interior should come up with an amicable solution to the perennial clashes.

“We are afraid that any development being made along the border will be hampered by the conflict,” she said.

Speaking on Saturday in Kapenguria, Mrs Mariach added that women and children have been forced to migrate from their homes while pupils have been forced to drop out of school.

“Many children are not in school because of the lapse in security,” she said.