Fierce fighting in Baringo after bandits torch houses, steal livestock

There was heavy fighting in parts of Baringo North, Baringo South and Engineer in Baringo County last night after several houses were torched by suspected Pokot bandits.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Baringo Commissioner Peter Okwanyo said security personnel were engaged in a fierce battle with the Bandits at Chemoe, Loruk, Sinonin Chebinyiny, and Yatya where more than 100 heads of cattle were stolen by the suspected bandits.

Baringo residents led by Amos ole Mpaka now want the minister for internal security Mr Joseph Nkaissery and Inspector of Police Joseph Boinett to visit the region and bring an end to the bloodshed.

Elsewhere, tension is high at Ukasi area in Mwingi after at least two people were killed and five others injured following fresh bandit attacks on Sunday.

The two are said to have been shot dead while working in their farms on Sunday and five houses torched by bandits of Somali origin who have been tormenting Kitui residents living along the border between Kitui and Tana River counties.

Residents have since fled their homes alongside their families and are spending nights in the bush.

Speaking to Citizen Digital at Ngooni where the incident occurred, Mwingi Central MP Joe Mutambu has demanded that the government drive away all herders of Somali origin grazing in the area, noting that more than 28 people have died since January last year due to bandit attacks.

Addressing area residents, Eastern Regional Coordinator Wycliffe Ogalo said that the national government is taking adequate measures to calm the situation, adding that it has not neglected the residents.

Ogalo said that security apparatus in the region is working with the national government and is in the process of employing police reservists along the border who will be able to protect residents in case of attacks.

He said that the government is fast-tracking the process in order to ensure that no more people continue to die in the hands of criminals.

Reported by Bernadine Tiemoi and Shedrack Ilava