Bandits mock security forces in North Rift operational area, kill 2 in Baringo, West Pokot – The Informer

The daring and seemingly more emboldened blood thirsty bandits in the operational North Rift area covering across six counties have once again unleashed terror undeterred killing two people and made away with livestock in an apparent mockery to the security forces amid the ongoing Kenya Defence Forces (KDF)-backed swoop dubbed ‘Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift’.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Administration Police Service (APS) Noor Gabow is the commander of the multi-agency operation.

“We have found a way around the bad terrain. Therefore, security agencies will now onwards be taking the war to the bandits. We shall flush them out from their hideouts.” The Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said during the launch of the operation.

The latest attacks occurred in the volatile Kosile village in Baringo North sub-county, where heavily armed criminals also made away with six cows and several goats on Sunday evening.

The second incident occurred in the in West Pokot where gun welding bandits shot dead one person at the Ramos gold mines area and drove away livestock from Takaiywa village in a daytime attack on the West Pokot-Turkana counties border.

The killing happened after a peace meeting attended by more than 50 people.

The Baringo killings brought to two the number of people killed by armed criminals in the area and four injured in one week in a row.

The deceased has since been identified as Raymond Kwonyike aged 35.

At the time, he was in the company of his elder brother Moses Kwonyike aged 45 searching for their stolen livestock when they were ambushed by the bandits at River Sibilo.

Kwonyike was shot in the chest and died on the spot while his brother sustained gunshot wounds on his arm and thigh.

Moses was rushed Baringo County Referral Hospital for emergency treatment while his brother’s body was taken to the mortuary.

Over the past month, hundreds of livestock have been stolen from Ombolion, Sarimach, Cheprochpohog, Turkwel, Takaywa, Kases, Masol, and Lami Nyeusi areas along the border by bandits suspected to be from the neighbouring county.

Residents from the two communities had a peace agreement to draw water from the same borehole in the Kaptolong’o area.

However, cattle raids and retaliatory attacks persist despite the presence of the Kenya Police Service and Kenya Defence Forces who are undertaking a joint security operation in the troubled Kerio Valley region.

The attacks in the region by the bandits targeting unarmed civilians including school going children including burning down of schools have gone unabated despite the ongoing security operation.

President William Ruto has since said the military will reconstruct the schools within 60 days.