A teacher in Baringo South has recounted how a shootout between General Service Unit (GSU) officers stationed at Kapindasum and gunmen lasted over five hours.
According to Elijah Kiptoon, the headteacher of Kapindasum Primary School, over 200 hundred bandits ambushed the GSU officers while on their routine patrols about 1 kilometer from the school.
The bandits outnumbered the GSU officers, forcing them to retreat backwards.
Eventually, the retreating officers found themselves in the vicinity of the Kapindasum School which is adjacent to a GSU camp and hence the siege that rocked learners and teachers.
In his interview with the media, Kiptoon revealed that students were forced to remain indoors as the gunshots rent the air for the better part of the day.
Bandits cornered GSU – teacher
According to him, the pupils did not even go for lunch as fear of being caught in the resulting crossfire gripped them.
Attempts to bring in reinforcement to help the cornered GSU officers ended in futility with witnesses reporting that bandits sealed off all routes to access the scene.
“They fought but the officers were outnumbered. They had blocked all possible routes and started firing at the officers from behind,” the headteacher said.
Consequently, the headteacher expressed his fears that the insecurity could disrupt the upcoming national examinations scheduled for late October, less than one week away.
Also Read: Gang Attacks School and GSU Camp
Three weeks earlier, suspected bandits fired shots directed at the Kapindasum School as the pupils were on their way for lunch.
The National Police Service has yet to disclose the number of casualties from the Tuesday attack.
After months of relative calm in the area, recent reports have indicated a resurgence in banditry activities.
Kapindasum was opened earlier in 2023 after having remained closed for more than a year due to the rampant terror activities.
Despite continued affirmation from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on the government’s resolve to silence guns in the North Rift, the battle seems far from over.
Baringo South was among the areas classified as disturbed and would be a beneficiary of the multi-agency security team deployed under Operation Maliza Uhalifu.
Also Read: Baringo Banditry Leaves one Person Injured and Over 300 Cows Stolen
Moreover, the operation would besides fighting armed bandits in the selected areas help to build critical infrastructure.
The idea as advanced by the government was to ensure development in the affected areas as a way to ensure permanent peace.
Kindiki’s operation in question
However, some quarters have accused the government of not doing enough to quell the now incessant terror activities carried out by organized groups in the areas.
Speaking on Wednesday, October 25, in response to the attacks, Baringo North Member of Parliament accused the government of failing to undertake a systematic operation.
“There has never been a systematic operation to fight bandits; it is just a reactionary patrol whenever an incident happens,” the MP noted.
“The attacks are part of an expansion, especially in areas rich in natural resources.”
