Three school going children among four killed by suspected bandits

Six people were Friday killed in Baringo County in two separate incidences.

Three school going children aboard a private car to Kapedo in Baringo and a driver of the vehicle they had boarded were killed.

The three with their driver were on their way to Kapedo from Marigat aboard a land cruiser car when suspected Pokot bandits laid an ambush on them at Ameyan killing the four.

Baringo County Commissioner Henry Wafula confirmed the killings of the four.

“Four are dead having been attacked by Pokot bandits in their usual disrespect for life, they were on their way to Kapedo when the incident occurred,” said Wafula.

He said a contingent of police officers has been deployed in the area and are pursuing the criminals- and will get hold of them.

The County Commissioner however noted that not all Pokots are criminals and warned the few that action will be taken against them.

“We are pursuing the criminals, we will get hold of them and take action,” he said.

He appealed for calm in the region.

Kapedo Chief Josephat Lopalal said the car was sprayed with bullets killing the four at the spot.

Lopalal who spoke to the Standard said his child a form one student at Kapedo High School is among those who were killed.

“They were on their way to Kapedo from Marigat aboard a land cruiser vehicle when the incident occurred, they suspected Pokot bandits laid an ambush on them at Ameyan and sprayed bullets on the car killing the four on the spot,” said Lopalal.

“My child- a form one student is among those killed by the merciless people,” added Lopalal amid sobs.

The place of ambush is characterized with a steep valley and near a river with a narrow bridge a bush also surrounds the area with huge rocks nearby making it difficult for one to see an approaching danger.

Benjamin Akol, owner of the car said the car had left for Marigat early morning to take his children.

Akol said he had to seek the help of Kenya Defence Forces Officers stationed at Loruk to help them.

The officers allegedly engaged the armed bandits who wanted to burn the vehicle.

At the same time violent protest erupted at Marigat town following the killings of the four.

At Marigat Town two people were killed and several others critically injured by an irate mob who stoned public vehicles plying Marigat - Chemolingot route.

The Tukana community living in Marigat in reacting to the news of killings allegedly took to the streets to protest the killing at Ameyan killing two Pokots.

Tension remains high as the police try to intervene.

The Turkana and Pokot have been involved in a long time conflict caused by cattle raids and dispute over herding grounds.

Grazing lands, boundary issues and watering points have seen the two communities engage in unending fight.

Insecurity in the region is facilitated by availability of small firearms.

The killing of 21 police officers at Kapedo in October 2014 marked the height of insecurity in the region and worsened relations between the two communities as each fail to take up responsibility.

In 2017 three police officers and an education officer were killed in an ambush by alleged Pokot bandits at Ameyan.