Locals use social media to seek leaders’ attention

By Alex Kiprotich

Baringo, Kenya: With security situation getting worse in Baringo North, residents have turned to social media to catch the attention of leaders and security agents, who seemingly have turned a blind eye on their plight.

Hundreds of people have been displaced, tens killed and thousands of livestock stolen yet the security apparatus remain mum.

“Who knows the agony of having to carry the pain of an injury inflicted on you for a lifetime? Who knows the pain of having to run a family single-handedly when the breadwinner is killed by raiders as the world watches silently?

Who knows the pain of transforming from being able to take care of your family to being a pauper relying on donations from well wishers? Tell me that person who knows the pain of being ejected from the warmth and safety of your home to the coldness of a thicket prone to danger from vicious reptiles such as snakes and wild animals?

I am yet to see that. I am yet to see Rift Valley PC Osman Warfa go to these battle zones. I am yet to feel my governor to be who promised us action early this week. Maybe Baringo North is not in Kenya,” wrote an anonymous resident on Facebook.

My voice

Saban Limo, a resident of Baringo County captured the feelings of the victims, who feel they have been neglected because they are poor.

“My voice might be small, my status may be low, now what do I do if those who have the voice can’t speak for their people? What do I do if leaders we elevated in the society can’t speak? Business goes on as normal in our small safe towns and villages while in some parts of our county, Baringo North and South, people have died, lost their livestock, houses and schools. Should I bury my head in the sand? With my small voice, I call upon the Government, our leaders, current and aspiring, to come help us get a solution,” he posted on social media.

“The Government is turning a blind eye while lives have been lost, livestock which is the only livelihood to our people lost, schools have never opened. While the Minister for Education was worried for the two days lost during the party nominations, who worries about schools that have not opened in Baringo North and South since last year? Where are our leaders?” wrote a resident.