Police accused of laxity as three more wounded in bandit attacks

Local leaders alleged that it took more than three hours for police officers to respond to the attack.

The bandits suspected to be from a neighbouring county made away with tens of livestock.

According to Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich, police officers did not respond to the attack despite distress calls from locals.

Mr Rotich claimed that National Police Reservists (NPRs) were left fighting the bandits on their own without regular police support until four hours later when General Service Unit (GSU) officers from Tot located about 35 kilometres away arrived.

"The most disappointing thing is that the police station took three hours to respond until the GSU from Tot and KDF choppers responded four hours later after my intervention with CS Adan Duale," claimed the county chief.

He continued: "I realised that there is huge sabotage to this war against banditry within the security circles. I hope CS Kindiki can realise this early enough. I wish to applaud the NPR for the superb job despite a letdown by the police from the area."

Rotich claimed the bandits had managed to outwit security apparatus and continue to maim, kill and steal livestock during raids staged in broad daylight. The county boss thanked medics at Iten County Referral Hospital where victims of the attack were rushed for treatment. "One of the victims was in critical condition but has since been stabilized," said Rotich.

Marakwet West MP Timothy Toroitich said the number of attacks in the region have intensified since the ongoing military-backed security operation was launched earlier this year. Mr Toroitich asked Kindiki to probe police operations in banditry-prone areas.

"We are shocked that the operation is ongoing yet attacks are intensifying. The number of attacks is increasing each day in the region. I want to tell the President that the attacks are going on unabated. Bandits are bolder than before the security operation was launched earlier this year," he said.

Elgeyo Marakwet County Police Commander Francis Nguli could not be reached for a comment as he failed to pick calls and did not respond to a text message.

A junior police officer operating in the troubled Kerio Valley said politicians were quick to blame police officers without finding time to understand the complexity of the problem.

"The police should not be used as a scapegoat. This is a complex terrain and both communities steal livestock from each other and start playing victim," said the officer.