The security multi-agency team in Baringo County has managed to arrest a most wanted bandit behind a series of raids and killings across the three counties of Baringo, Samburu, and Turkana and recovered two AK 47 assault rifles.
The officers who apprehended the notorious bandit identified as Lonyapat Perinyang, aged 20 years, at Kapendo Centre also recovered 15 rounds of ammunition.
Briefing the press on Thursday on the breakthrough arrest at Kabarnet Police Station, County Commissioner Stephen Kutwa said that the bandit, who has escaped police radar for the past four years, was nabbed through intensified intelligence surveillance and network.
Mr. Kutwa, flanked by County Police Commander Julius Kiragu, stated that after being arrested, the young man, with several body marks indicating his rank in the banditry network, took the officers to where he hid the guns and ammunition.
“We are looking for the other most sought-after criminals who have wreaked havoc across the entire North Rift region, raiding, killing innocent people, and taking away livestock with impunity. We have stepped up our search for the already identified bandits who are heavily armed,” the commissioner stated.
The suspect, the County Commissioner said, has divulged vital information on the operation network of the armed gang, and they hope to make more arrests and recoveries of the illegal guns in the pastoralist-inhabited region.
“The young man is the coordinator of youth in Paka, Silale, and Akoret who carry out raids and counter raids in all the neighbouring counties of Turkana, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Laikipia. They are behind the killings of many people in the entire region,” he stated.
Mr. Kiragu disclosed in his brief that in the past three weeks, the multi-agency security team has arrested three of the bandits and recovered three guns.
Last week, he stated, following an intelligence report, they managed to nab one of the ring leaders in the Arabal area in Baringo South, where they recovered one loaded gun.
The county police boss lauded members of the public in the region for their support and urged them to continue sharing information that will lead to the arrest of the remaining wanted criminals who have terrorised innocent residents for years.
“Together with peace-loving residents, we shall manage to contain all these criminals who have made the lives of people in the North Rift unbearable once and for all,” he said.
The suspect, who will be arraigned in a Kabarnet court, told the press outside the police station that he was arrested at Kipedo Trading while drinking with his friends.
The bandit, he said, had, on the advice of elders, decided to abandon banditry activities and shift his attention to other alternative sources of livelihood, like business.
By Joshua Kibet
