Bandits staged a daring attack near the scene where a Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) chopper crashed and killed the Chief of Defense Forces General Francis Ogolla and nine other soldiers on Thursday April 18, 2024.
A police report indicated that armed bandits launched an attack on April 19 near the scene of the crash at Keben Village, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
According to the report, the bandits staged the attack around 2 pm on Friday in the presence of heavy security officers including KDF officers who are investigating the tragic chopper accident.
The bandits were reported to have captured an unknown number of heads of cattle following the attack before attempting to drive away under the full glare of police.
However, security officials noted that they managed to counter the bandits and repulsed them. The report further indicated that no livestock was driven off by the bandits.
According to the report, the armed bandits engaged in a 30-minute gun battle in the village, sparking fear among locals.
Following the gunfight, the armed bandits later vanished into the thickets with police launching a manhunt for them.
Police in Elgeyo Marakwet are on high alert following the bandit attack, with no report of casualties recorded yet following the attack.
Bandits Attack Scene of KDF Chopper Crash
In what has been a tragic twist of events, the scene of the attack is also the area where KDF officers are working on the ground trying to piece together information regarding the ill-fated KDF chopper which led to the tragic demise of the late CDF Ogolla.
The late CDF met his death while on a mission attributed to the fight against banditry and resolving peace in the North Rift.
President William Ruto while confirming the details of the crash in a State address on April 18, 2024, noted that General Ogolla and nine other KDF officers sadly passed away while in the line of duty.
Also Read: Last Moments of Late CDF Ogolla Before KDF Chopper Crash
The Head of State noted that the late General was aboard the chopper alongside 11 other military personnel, 9 of whom also passed on while 2 survived.
He was on a mission to inspect the ongoing school renovation works in five primary schools within the region while visiting troops deployed in the North Rift to fight banditry under Operation Maliza Uhalifu.
According to Ruto, the CDF flew from Nairobi and first met a multi-agency team stationed at Chesitet in Baringo County, where he was briefed on the security situation.
Later in the day, he departed for Kainuk Forward Operating Base in Turkana County before visiting his last station of the day at Chesegon, West Pokot County.
It is at the moment when he was departing Chesegon for the Recruits Training School in Uasin Gishu County, when the aircraft unfortunately crashed shortly after the take-off, resulting to the death of the KDF boss alongside other military officials.
Ruto order
His mission came days after President Ruto ordered the immediate deployment of KDF officers in North Rift while intervening in the insecurity situation within the region which has paralyzed learning activities and led to the closure of several schools.
Also Read: Gunmen Engage KDF in Fire Exchange After Emotional Burial
Ruto while speaking during the commissioning of the Cemtech Limited clinker plant in West Pokot ordered for the immediate deployment to undertake the construction of classes burnt down by bandits and repair those falling apart due to neglect.
The head of state further assured parents in the region that the government would guarantee the security of all learning institutions and learners in the coming term.
“It cannot be the case in the 21st century in Kenya, a democratic country, that children do not attend school because of the few offenders who want to steal cows and damage property.
I want to say this while I’m in West Pokot. In the next two days, the army will be in Chesogon to ensure the schools are built. They will be there to ensure that when schools open next term, the children of those schools will be there,” stated Ruto.
The bandit attacks have led to the closure of over 20 schools in Baringo County and five others in West Pokot County which have seen parents withdraw their children from school and others fleeing their homes to set up camps for internally displaced persons.
