Leaders from Baringo have urged the government to conduct a proper disarmament exercise to flush out bandits persistently causing insecurity in parts of Marigat and Baringo North Sub- counties.
Speaking to the press in Kabarnet town, the leaders led by Mochongoi ward MCA Kipruto Kimosop noted that there were still so many firearms in the hands of civilians which were being used to cause insecurity in the region.
Kimosop was reacting to the latest incident where a 70-year-old man and his 10-year-old grandson were killed by suspected cattle rustlers, while herding their livestock in Kiserian grazing fields on Thursday afternoon.
He said the menace which has been ongoing in the region for over 20 years will only come to an end if forceful repossession of illegal guns in the hands of civilians and criminal elements is done.
His Mukutani counterpart, Renson Perkeii said it was unfortunate that in this 21st century era people in parts of the country are unable to carry on with their daily and investment activities because they are in constant state of fear of losing lives and properties any minute or day.
“I want to tell the security apparatus to up their game because we are losing our people day in day out,” stated Perkeii.
Bartabwa MCA Reuben Chepsongol whose ward is one of the hard hit by the cattle rustling menace said that the government must treat anybody who is illegally possessing a firearm as an enemy.
He added that such bandits must be pursued up to their villages and be apprehended, so that they can serve as an example to other would want to be criminals.
Confirming the Thursday attack, Marigat Sub-County Police Commander, Benjolive Munuve said that out of 67 cows stolen, 37 have been recovered from the over 20 heavily armed bandits who dispersed in two groups towards Lorumoru and Karau hills in Tiaty East Sub-County.
The Sub County Police Commander said police officers on patrol within the grazing fields intercepted one group after exchanging fire before reaching Langa Mbaya and managed to recover the 37 cows.
He added that police officers could not manage to catch up with the group that drove other animals towards Ramacha because of darkness.
Munuve said bodies of the Grade Four pupil and his 71-year-old grandfather who succumbed to bullet wounds have been taken to Baringo County Referral Hospital mortuary in Kabarnet town.
Baringo County Commissioner, Henry Wafula while reacting to the unfortunate incident said that his security team will not relent in the fight against the criminals killing, maiming and stealing livestock in Baringo North and Marigat Sub-counties until the last bullet is down.
By Benson Kelio and Joshua Kibet
