Bandits strike village, steal livestock

Bandits attacked and stole 50 goats in Kesumet village in Baringo North Constituency yesterday.

There was heavy gunfire in the area more than 150km north of Kabarnet town as seven Kenya Police reservists tried to fight off 24 armed bandits.  

Baringo County Commissioner Peter Okwanyo said families fled the area after their goats were stolen in anticipation of fresh attacks by bandits from West Pokot county.“Many people have fled their homes in the lower parts of Baringo North due to bandit’s attacks. Yesterday’s raid at Kesumet has raised tensions in the area,” said the commissioner.

Okwanyo said he had not deployed security personnel in the area because Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers in the Pokot disarmament exercise were in constant patrol.

Bartabwa location chief Wilson Lokobwa told The Standard on Sunday on the telephone that the bandits raided the village at around 9am and shot the owner of the stolen livestock. He escaped unhurt.

The bandits later shot in the air to scare away residents and drove the livestock towards Kositei in Tiaty.

The chief appealed to the Government to establish police stations in the area especially during the festive season.

“It will be good if the Government deployed more security officers to the areas of Chepkesin, Kalabata and Bartabwa so that they reinforce KPR,” he said.

Tension remains high in Bartabwa, with residents fleeing for safety. They are reportedly seeking refuge at Bartabwa trading centre. Thomas Kiptiony, a resident of Kesumet, said more than 100 families had abandoned their homes and were moving to various places for safety. “People have fled Kesumet, Chepkew and other neighbouring villages. Things are bad here. We fear attacks will occur any time soon,” he said.

The attack comes three days after bandits shot and wounded a man and a woman in Loruk trading centre. A boda boda rider in Kosile narrowly survived an ambush in an evening attack.

More than 2,000 families have already been displaced in Baringo North since Sunday following the sporadic attacks.

The displaced families which fled Sunda are now camping at Chepkewel Primary School in Kabartonjo division. Area MP William Cheptumo has been accused by the displaced people of failing to address their plight every time they are attacked.

“We live in the bush as if we have no leader to represent us. Our MP should  demand for answers from the Government ,” said Sammy Kiprutto, a displaced resident of Barsuswo said.

But Cheptumo told The Standard on Sunday he will move a motion in Parliament that would make it impossible for anyone to undertake cattle-rustling.