Three more killed in fresh Baringo attack

Three more people have been killed in a bandit attack in Baringo north.

The three, among them a primary school teacher, were attacked at around 9am on Wednesday when more than 40 cattle rustlers raided Chepkesin village.

Baringo County Commissioner Peter Okwanyo said one person was injured.

The body of one of the victims, who has yet to be identified, was found lying on the shores of Lake Baringo.

"The teacher was doing his chores at home when he was shot by the bandits, who later escaped," said James Kiptui, a neighbour.

The raiders burnt a motorcycle near Loruk trading centre.

The commissioner told The Standard that in the past week, at least eight people have been killed and two others injured by bandits.

Among those killed were Loyamorok MCA Kibet Cheretei and Taity Parliamentary aspirant Pepe Kitambaa, who were shot by masked gunmen at a bar in Marigat.

Also killed were a 30-year-old woman and her three-day-old daughter.

Mr Okwanyo said the security teams deployed to the area have intensified operations to flush out the heavily armed raiders.

"The number of deaths reported in Baringo north and south are on the rise but police will not tire. We shall raid and flush out all bandits to bring normalcy back to Baringo," he said.

During the early morning raid, the bandits stole an unknown number of livestock. The animals have yet to be recovered.

The attacks have sparked tension in the sub-county, with more than 20 schools being closed.

The bandits also torched more than 10 houses at Chemoe, Yatia, and Chesiran.

Nicholas Kering, a local resident, said the bandits struck in the morning, torching houses and flushing out residents.

Many people have fled their homes for fear of further attacks.