Baringo Leaders Demand Swift Measures to Curb Banditry in Baringo

Reuben Chepsongol.PHOTO/Courtesy

By Emmanuel Oyasi,

Baringo County leaders are asking the government to put in more measures to curb the killings carried out by cattle rustlers in Baringo North and Baringo South constituencies.

UDA party whip in Baringo County, Reuben Chepsongol, said that the government has the responsibility to provide protection to its citizens, to protect their lives and also to ensure the safety of their property.

Chepsongol said the locals in areas that have been registering cases of insecurity have suffered for a long time and their lives affected due to the fear of attacks.

“Till when will these killings continue? When will people from south Baringo live without fearing for their lives? I ask the government to hasten the efforts of curbing banditry in this region, for people to live in peace,” said Chepsongol.

Meanwhile, academic activities at a total of seven schools in Baringo North constituency are expected to be affected due to the increased cases of insecurity, locals being forced to move out of their residence due to continued attacks from the Bandits.

The latest incident included the killing of two students in Rormooch area, Yatya on Monday.

Yatya High School principal Francis Cheptile said he had to allow students to leave the school after their parents moved out of their homes.

“When we saw that people had moved out from this area due to security issues, we saw no need to hold students in school. I decided to let the students go home. One of those killed here on Monday was my student in form one,” said Cheptile.

The residents say they fear for their safety, asking the government to strengthen its efforts to deal with bandits who continue to attack and kill innocent citizens.

“This area has been greatly deserted. What we want to know from the government is, are we citizens of this country? Why do we live like refugees in our own country?” they said.