Two Baringo Members of Parliament (MPs) survived a bandits’ attack during a food distribution exercise on Saturday, March 1, 2024.
Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap, Baringo County Woman Representative Florence Jematia and Kenya Redcross officials were in a convoy heading to a food distribution center in the county when they were attacked along the Yatya -Chemoe road.
Speaking to the media, the leaders said they were distributing food to victims of insecurity in Yatya, Chemoe and Chepkesin areas of Saimo Soi and Bartabwa Wards when they were shot at as they approached Chemoe from Yatya.
“When we were travelling with Red Cross officials, we faced some gunshots. We saw the bandits along the way. Some of us experienced gunshots. I want to tell the government to enhance security in the region,” Makilap said.
They were forced to call for security reinforcement from a nearby police station before proceeding to Keikmj Chepkesin which was a riskier area.
“These people are daring us, imagine being shot at while we are distributing food. These people are merciless, they just want to kill, they have appetite to destroy everything,” Jematia explained.
The MPs asked the government to address the insecurity in the region that has led to more than 10,000 people fleeing their homes.
“The schools are not there, we can’t even see people, the population have moved, and they want to push us further,” Jematia added.
Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary (CS) Simon Chelugui who was speaking at an event in the county assured the residents that the government is keen to eradicate banditry in the county.
He explained that the government has plans to eradicate insecurity menace in Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Samburu and Laikipia so that residents can live in peace.
Police Fight Bandits in Samburu
The shooting comes after police officers engaged in a fierce gun exchange with suspected cattle rustlers in Sero Longai Village, Samburu East.
In a statement by the National Police Service (NPS) said the incident happened on March 15, 2024, while the officers were conducting their routine operation.
The suspected rustlers sprayed bullets on the police officers who were in transit aboard a lorry and damaged the radiator of the vehicle.
Eighteen heads of cattle previously stolen in Meru County, an AK-47 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of ammunition and three TECNO mobile phones were recovered.
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Bandits Shoot OCPCD
Elsewhere, one person was killed in Laikipia County, and several police officers including Tigania East OCPD Emmanuel Kiplaga injured in another attack by bandits.
Kiplagat was leading the team to retrieve livestock reportedly stolen from Matabithi, Meru County, three weeks ago.
The OCPD was shot in the shoulder during the confrontation with the bandits and was admitted in a nearby hospital.
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Kindiki Sends Reinforcement to Isiolo
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki deployed National Police Reservists (NPRs) to Isiolo to aid the existing police forces to combat cattle rustling on March 14.
Kindiki said the NPRs will provide critical knowledge of local terrain, culture, and other dynamics.
“The recruitment, training, and deployment of NPRs is an effective strategy to bridge the gaps of enhancing security in the Rangelands and infusing local content in security solutions,” he said.
He affirmed that the deployment of NPRs in Isiolo will was aimed at protecting the local communities.
