Tension high in parts of Baringo after revenge attacks
A military tanker patrolling Loruk in Baringo North on December 15, 2014 after series of attacks by suspected Pokot raiders, the latest being on Sunday night in which two houses were burned. Tension is high in the area as residents flee their homes to safe grounds over series of attack and in fear of retaliation. PHOTO | CHEBOITE KIGEN | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Baringo County Commissioner Peter Okwanyo Thursday said more security teams had been positioned in hot spots.
- He described the situation in the troubled Kapedo and Arabal areas as generally calm.
- But tension remained high at Loruk in Baringo North following fresh attacks between members of the warring Tugen and Pokot communities.
- Leaders from pastoral communities in the north rift region have supported efforts by the government to carry out a disarmament operation to mop up illegal guns.
Tension continues to grip parts of Baringo due to fears of impending attacks despite military operations in the region and the deployment of additional security personnel to crack down on bandits.
Baringo County Commissioner Peter Okwanyo Thursday said more security teams had been positioned in hot spots following attacks that have claimed over 50 people including police officers.
“We have set up camps along areas prone to insecurity to prevent further attacks,” said Mr Okwanyo.
He described the situation in the troubled Kapedo and Arabal areas as generally calm.
But tension remained high at Loruk in Baringo North following fresh attacks between members of the warring Tugen and Pokot communities over cattle raids and boundary disputes.
ATTACKERS STEAL GOATS
Armed raiders attacked Chesiram Village and shot a woman before stealing over 400 goats in what is believed to be a revenge attack.
“Leaders from pastoral communities need to promote development initiatives aimed at improving the socio-economic status of their people,” appealed Mr Okwanyo.
He appealed to the public to support efforts aimed at fighting crime.
Leaders from pastoral communities in the north rift region have supported efforts by the government to carry out a disarmament operation to mop up illegal guns in an effort to contain armed conflicts and arrest culprits behind protracted cattle raids and banditry activities.
The leaders who include MPs Asman Kamama (Tiaty) and Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria) want the government to involve elders in addressing insecurity in the region.
Several families have been displaced following the perennial armed conflicts between members of the pastoralist Pokot, Tugen and Turkana communities.
At the same time, it is emerging that the 19 Administration Police officers killed by bandits after they were ambushed near Kapedo on November 1, 2014 did not have protective gear such as bullet proof vests.
Security sources indicate that the officers were ill-prepared to confront the bandits who are well informed of the rough geographical terrain and withstand scorching heat.
“Some of the policemen do not have bullet proof vests and do not sleep under mosquito nets,” disclosed a security source.
