We’ll get guns if you don’t stop bandits, Baringo Governor Cheboi warns State

Residents of Baringo will take up arms and defend themselves if the national government does not address increasing cases of cattle rustling, Governor Benjamin Cheboi has warned.

Mr Cheboi, who was angered by the killing of four people in the latest attacks by bandits, accused the government of neglecting security in the county.

“More firearms in the hands of herders is a major threat to the security of our people and is affecting development and peaceful co-existence here,” Mr Cheboi told journalists on Sunday in Bartolimo, Baringo North Sub-County.

He wants the government to launch forcible disarmament after the elapse a one-week ultimatum issued by Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery.

“Cases of attacks have reached alarming levels in Baringo North and Baringo South (and that) now calls for tough measures to restore peace,” he said.

“Our people are law-abiding and we will not sit back and watch them suffer in the hands of criminals.

"They may be forced to acquire firearms, just like their neighbours, to protect their lives and property if the government does not do it,” said a visibly angry Mr Cheboi.

POLICE RESERVISTS KILLED

Two of the victims were killed at Karau Hills in Baringo South, where two Kenya Police Reservists (KPRs) who were trying to repulse suspected Pokot raiders were shot dead and more than 400 goats driven away.

Two other people were killed at Chemoe in Baringo North.

He wants Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet to hire more KPRs, "because they are conversant with the terrain and would track down criminals easily.”

Mr Cheboi is not happy that armed raiders still manage to access the volatile Arabal despite the presence of more thanr 200 security personnel, who have set up a camp at Kapindasum.

The camp was started to flush out Pokot herders who have invaded neighbouring territories in search of water and pasture.

On Friday, business came to a standstill at the county headquarters in Kabarnet after residents of Bartabwa marched to the county commissioner’s office demanding action over spiralling insecurity.

The irate residents, who were carrying placards condemning the senseless killings, carried the casket of the latest victim of the runaway insecurity, Mr Stephen Kipkemei, 60, who was shot dead on Wednesday at Chemoe by suspected Pokot raiders.

SECURITY OFFICERS 'NOR HELPING'

The residents, who were led by Bartabwa ward representative Reuben Chepsongol held a peaceful demonstration at the central business district carrying the casket of the deceased before converging at the main gate to the county commissioner’s office demanding an audience with him.

They complained that security personnel based in the volatile area had not been of much help to them in alleviating their suffering, which has also left more than 20 primary schools closed.

“How many more lives should we lose for the government to act? We are wondering if the officers are there to protect us or supervise as we are butchered.

“If the government has been overwhelmed by our neighbours, the neighbouring sub-county should be declared a 55th state in Africa,” said Mr Stephen Barkoton, a resident.

The residents hit out at chiefs in neighbouring Tiaty Sub-County who they said were condoning banditry despite stolen livestock heading to the area.

“When it came to power, the Jubilee administration promised that this archaic practice of cattle rustling will come to an end in 100 days, but they have done nothing so far.

'100 DAYS OF DEATH'

"It seems it is now 100 days of deaths. We also pay taxes like any other Kenyan,” said Mr Chepsongol.

He hit out at West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo over his recent remarks that Tiaty Sub-County secede from Baringo County and join West Pokot County and called on the government to investigate him for incitement.

The residents expressed fears that Pokot herders whom the government has flushed out of Arabal in Baringo South may have started trooping to areas such as Chemoe, Chepkessin, Kagir and Ng’aratuko sparking conflicts.

The series of attacks in Baringo North for the past one month have prompted hundreds of residents from the volatile areas of Baringo North to flee their homes fearing for their lives.

Mr Nkaissery, who visited the area last week, issued a one-week ultimatum to residents in the pastoralist communities to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms or face forcible disarmament.

The ultimatum has since elapsed.