Tension grips villages after raiders kill two

An armed herder from Katilu in Turkana South taking his camels for watering in the Turkwel river. It makes more sense to help communities actualise the wealth they really own and can control. And that is agriculture, writes Patrick Mbataru PHOTO/PETER WARUTUMO

What you need to know:

  • The bandits have been terrorising villages along the Turkana-Pokot border since Sunday last week.
  • Their death brings the number of those killed since Sunday to six and the number of animals stolen to 528.
  • Strangers suspected to be spies for the bandits had earlier been spotted around the village.

Tension has gripped Kaputir Location in Turkana South Sub-county after bandits killed two residents - one of them a police reservist - on Thursday afternoon.

The bandits have been terrorising villages along the Turkana- Pokot border since Sunday last week.

The dead were identified as Mr James Longorio and Mr James Etabo Esinyen who were both shot dead at Lokwar Farm.

“The bandits took away a gun belonging to Mr Longorio, a police reservist, who was guarding the farm,” said area Chief Charles Lokuya.

Their death brings the number of those killed since Sunday to six and the number of animals stolen to 528.

Strangers suspected to be spies for the bandits had earlier been spotted around the village.

Mr Lokuya said that the raids are becoming uncontrollable despite precautionary measures herdsmen are taking of group grazing and avoiding insecure fields.

He said it was difficult to co-ordinate the few police reservists in the entire location for reinforcements immediately there is a raid.

Turkana Woman Representative Joyce Emanikor said women and children are increasingly becoming vulnerable.

“The family loses everything if a man of the house is killed and animals stolen,” she said.

A resident Mr James Kisike asked Deputy President William Ruto to send the helicopter he said would be used by police to fight the bandits.