Tension high in Pokot-Marakwet border after 5 were killed

Tension high in Pokot-Marakwet border after 5 were killed

Tension remains high in the border of Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot Counties after five people were killed in two attacks at Chesogon and Tot areas.

Despite the deployment of hundreds of police officers in the North Rift region, armed bandits on Friday raided Koipogegh village in Chesegon, West Pokot county near the border with Elgeyo Marakwet. They reportedly drove away over 300 heads of cattle after killing three people.

On Saturday, January 6, a retaliatory attack was staged in Tot. A four-hour gun battle ensued with two people being killed and several others sustaining gunshot wounds.

West Pokot leaders including Governor John Lonyangapuo, Sigor Member of Parliament Peter Lochakapong, and his Kapenguria counterpart Samuel Moroto toured the area on Saturday accompanied by top county security personnel.

The leaders issued a seven-day ultimatum for the bandits to return the hundreds of animals stolen in the Friday attack.

They further accused the national government of failing to do enough to rein in the wanton killings and banditry attacks in the area.

Governor Lonyangapuo expressed concern over the distribution of National Police Reservists in the area, saying the entire Pokot-Central sub-county has 193 security officers while Marakwet East has over 400.

The leaders complained over the laxity by security forces deployed in Pokot and Marakwet, claiming the officers failed to block the raiders who staged an attack a few metres from an anti-stock theft camp in Marakwet East.

Pokot Central Deputy County Commissioner Geofrey Kithinji said that they will redeploy the security officers in Chesogon area.

Residents now fear that the deadly attacks could continue, despite authorities talking tough against the the incident.

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John Lonyangapuo bandit attacks bandits kill five in west pokot bandits kill three in west pokot Tension high in Pokot-Marakwet border 5 were killed west pokot marakwet east border

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