Thousands flee ahead of disarmament exercise in Baringo

Hundreds of families in Baringo County have fled areas targeted in a disarmament exercise that begun on Tuesday, despite assurances from authorities that innocent residents will be out of harm’s way.

The operation was set to begin simultaneously in Ngaratuko, Yatya, Kagir, Chepkesin, Kinyach in Baringo North and Arabal, Chebinyiny, Kasiela, Nosukro, and Rukus in Baringo South and spread to other parts of the larger Kerio Belt where cattle rustling has been a perennial menace.

“We are not targeting any community, we are targeting criminals. If you are a clean man, you have nothing to fear,” said Baringo AP Commander Robinson Ndiwa.

The residents fear victimization, with leaders from the Pokot community claiming that the exercise is unfairly targeting their tribesmen.

“We ask the president to save the Pokot from extinction,” said West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo.

Amidst the political uproar, police said they would remain on course until they achieve the goal of the operation.

“We are not going to sit and wait as people are uprooted from their homes by other people in this country,” Ndiwa said, adding: “The Pokots have driven away Tugens and Ilchamus from their homes.”

The Kenya Red Cross Society has, however, revealed that 812 households, translating to about 4,872 people ,have been displaced in the ongoing conflict.

In a statement to newsrooms, The Red Cross Society indicated that the number could have risen due to continued fighting.

The society also reported that more than ten schools have been closed due to insecurity in Baringo County.

“The situation in Baringo remains volatile with a number of reported attacks following inter-clan conflicts between the Pokots and the Tugen,” read the statement in part.

The society has also made an urgent appeal for food, water and shelter for displaced families, further warning of the risk of outbreaks of diseases in the camps.

Meanwhile, a top-level security meeting chaired by the Rift Valley Regional Commander Wanyama Musyambo was held in Marigat to further strategize on the on-going operation.

Additional details by Sylvia Chebet