Bandits kill herder in Baringo

A  herder was shot dead by suspected armed bandits on Saturday, a day before President Uhuru Kenyatta toured Baringo County.

The 17-year-old Joshua Chebor was killed by the bandits while grazing his family’s cattle at Chepkesin area.

Confirming the incident to Citizen Digital, Jackson Keitany the assistant chief Barketiew Location said Joshua was in the company of five other herders when they were ambushed by bandits.

“There was fierce exchange of fire between the bandits and authorities before the attackers made way with 5o head of cattle to Seretion in Tiaty e which were later recovered in a sting operation,” Ms Keitany said.

Richard Chepchomei, a resident said that over 2,000 residents who had settled at Chepkesin, Chemoe and Kapturo villages have fled the area due to the rising insecurity leaving most schools closed as a result.

During his tour of the region last week, Rift Valley Regional coordinator Wanyama Musiambo refuted claims of insecurity in the region caused by bandit attacks, insisting security had been beefed up in this region.

“Authorities had earlier warned the residents to stay alert after the death of Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery saying that the bandits would launch an attack,” Chepchomei said.

He urged the National Police Service and the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) to tighten security along the porous borders of Baringo North, South and Tiaty sub-Counties.

He said the attacks were perpetrated on Saturday when more than 30,000 people were mourning the death of the late CS Nkaissery.