Two people killed along volatile Turkana- West Pokot border

Two boda boda riders were killed by suspected bandits at Kases village, along the volatile West Pokot and Turkana border.

The two were riding home from a nearby centre, when they were attacked by the raiders suspected to be from the neighbouring Turkana.

Solomon Akumaris, 25, the passenger on the boda boda died as he was being rushed to the hospital, while the owner of the motorcycle, Longuria Lokem's body was found hours later in a thicket.

Speaking to The Standard on phone, Ombolion Chief Joseph Korkimul said the two were travelling from Kases centre to Karon village bwhen they were ambushed by armed bandits at 5pm.

 TENSION HIGH

"One was shot in the back and the other in the stomach. Akumaris called and informed us that Lokem was shot and he had escaped. When we mounted a search, we found him dead in the nearby thicket, where he had possibly gone to hide," said Mr Korikimul.

"We think he died from bleeding excessively because he was lying in a pool of blood," said the chief.

He said tension was high in the area, noting that the raiders may have planned to attack the village.

"Businesses in the centre are closed because residents are living in fear. We suspect the attackers escaped towards Kakoong area in the neighboring Turkana County," he said.

The residents have now asked the Government beef up security in the area.

"We are tired of the killings. The Government must come to our aid," said a resident, David Domungura.

Kacheliba MP Mark Lomunokol condemned the killings and called for the arrest of bandits.

"We are calling on the Government to protect us and our properties. We need more police officers in this area because insecurity has retarded development," said Lomukonol. He called for the establishment of security camps in the area.