Airstrikes pound Kapedo in bid to smoke out bandits

A military offensive to flush out bandits who killed 21 Administration Police officers in Kapedo entered the second day with airstrikes pounding their suspected hideouts.

At exactly 1.30pm yesterday, three missiles were fired on the slopes of the Silale hills with explosions sending residents of the deserted Kapedo town into a panic.

Kenya Defence Forces military tanks that had earlier been parked inside Kapedo Mixed Secondary School compound have been relocated to an open field next to a local General Service Unit camp.

Four military helicopters were spotted taking off and hovering very low over Kerio Valley at Koloa several times before returning to their temporary base.

Heavy dust could be spotted rising on the northern part of the hill near Suguta River after the explosives went off.

suspected hideout

Silale Ward Representative Nelson Lotela claimed four children were hit by missiles fired from military helicopters at a home in Nadome and at Likwonai they struck a 12-year-old boy and also killed 45 cows near a water point. "Residents had to put out fires and flee their homes yesterday. This is unfortunate and we urge the President to reconsider his directive," he appealed.

Tiaty sub-County Deputy Commissioner Daniel Kurui said six G3 rifles were recovered and surrendered by the criminals through the village elders with more expected to be handed over by today.

Five of the firearms were recovered at the Silale hills, and a sixth one at Kapau, which is adjacent to a  rocky hill believed to be the hideout for more than 500 well-armed bandits.

Interestingly, the guns being surrendered have no bullets. "Yes, they have surrendered a number of the guns but unfortunately they have decided to remain with the bullets and jungle belts belonging to the slain police officers," said Kurui.

But Pokot professionals pleaded with the President to suspend the military activities for four more days promising to convince the raiders hiding in Sisale hills to release the remaining 15 guns.

Meanwhile, a Pokot resident, whose son was killed in Kapedo, has appealed to the Government and security agencies to assist him recover the child's missing head in order to accord the Standard Six pupil  a decent burial.

Munyabus Kitilit said he had sent his son to the shop when he was attacked near a bridge and the raiders disappeared with his head.