Houses torched as bandits wreak more havoc in Marigat

Baringo, Kenya; Suspected Pokot rustlers torched several houses at Ramacha village in Marigat in a fresh bandit attack in Baringo County.

The attack on Tuesday night came even as the county government steps up efforts to curb rampant cattle rustling in the area.

The burnt houses belong to residents who had fled the area during previous deadly raids that have so far left more than 50 people dead and thousands displaced.

Last week, seven MPs from the region led by Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi toured Kapturo, Kagir, Mukutani, Arabal, Kiserian, Ngiyang and Loruk and appealed for calm as they seek a solution to the persistent raids.

The MPs Grace Kiptui (Eldama Ravine), Sammy Mwaita (Baringo Central), Hellen Sambili (Mogotio), Asman Kamama (Tiaty), Grace Kipchoim (Baringo South) and Baringo North’s William Cheptumo called on the governor to petition the national government to carry out a guns mop-up in the region.

The incident occurred as political leaders and security heads met President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House yesterday to seek a lasting solution to the perennial cattle-rustling menace in the county.

CAUGHT OFF-GUARD

More than 20 houses have so far been torched by the attackers in Mukutani and Sirata villages in Marigat Sub-county, with the almost 1,000 police officers deployed in the area always being caught off-guard.

“It is regrettable that criminals continue to slaughter innocent people despite the hundreds of GSU and other security personnel deployed in parts of Baringo to beef up security,” said Kamama at Arabal.