In a shocking incident on Wednesday, armed bandits ambushed and killed a man, his wife, and their two-year-old child along the Yatya-Chemoe Road in Baringo County. The gruesome attack, which occurred despite heightened security measures, has sparked outrage and condemnation from Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi.
Governor Cheboi expressed deep concern over the audacity of the bandits who, in this instance, did not steal anything but instead exhibited a blatant disregard for human life. He emphasized the urgent need for enhanced security measures and a decisive response to safeguard the lives and well-being of the community.
“The fact that the bandits… did not steal anything amplifies the gravity of the situation, indicating a blatant disregard for human life,” Governor Cheboi stated, highlighting the sinister intent solely focused on causing harm and claiming lives.
The governor called on the government to restore calm and ensure that all criminals responsible for the attacks are brought to justice. He urged security personnel to review and adapt their strategies to counteract the brazen actions of these criminals, emphasizing that the lives of citizens should not be held hostage by those who defy the rule of law.
Governor Cheboi revealed that discussions with the County Security Team are underway to address immediate security concerns, with security forces, including GSU personnel, actively patrolling affected areas. Security teams stationed at Loruk, Ngaratuko, and Kagir have been strategically deployed to enforce the rule of law.
“We are resolute in our commitment to bringing those responsible for this heinous act to justice. The search for the killers is underway, and every effort is being made to hold them accountable for their actions,” Governor Cheboi declared.
The recent killing of the three family members brings the total number of people killed in a week to six in the banditry-prone North Rift region. The attacks have adversely affected the reopening of schools for the first term, prompting concerns from leaders such as Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich, who called on the government to act swiftly against the marauding bandits.
Residents, frustrated by the continuous insecurity, have threatened to arm themselves if the state cannot assure them of their safety. The escalating banditry, characterized by cattle raids and retaliations, has left over 100 people, including security personnel, and thousands of livestock stolen in the North Rift region last year alone.
In response to the rampant banditry, the government had declared six counties in the North Rift, including Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia, and Samburu, as ‘disturbed’ and ‘dangerous.’ A massive security operation, involving the National Police Service and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), was rolled out to seize illegal firearms and flush out armed criminals.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki stated that the government is in the process of reconstructing hundreds of schools vandalized due to perennial banditry in the North Rift, allocating Sh100 million for this purpose. The situation remains tense as authorities strive to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore a sense of security to the affected communities.