More killed Baringo, Turkana in search for raiders as police blamed for destruction

Carlos Kipkoikat a resident inspects a destroyed house in Ameyen trading center in Tiaty constituency, Baringo county October 28, 2014. The suspected security officers razed down and vandalized teacher's squatters at Lonyangapuo primary school, several shops and houses at Chesitet and Ameyen trading centers during an ongoing operation to flash out cattle rustlers in the area. PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH

BARINGO COUNTY: Reports have emerged that close to 20 people, including seven security officers, died on Wednesday following a deadly clash between security agencies and armed bandits at Solar village near the Baringo and Turkana border.

A source familiar with the activities on the ground alleged that the confrontation deteriorated after a contingent of security personnel was prevented from accessing villages after information went round that armed criminals had sought cover and were preparing to attack.

Baringo County Commissioner Peter Okwanyo neither denied nor confirmed the allegations saying the matter was under investigation to ascertain the truth.

But, Mr Okwanyo confirmed that a General Service Unit (GSU) officer was undergoing treatment at Kabarnet District Hospital after he sustained bullet injuries following an ambush by suspected Pokot militiamen near Kapedo.

"I have lost communication with the commanders leading the onslaught but as we all know the area has poor network connectivity. The truth will soon be established," said the commissioner.

Interestingly, while the operation was progressing, unknown number of suspected Pokot raiders struck Chemoe village in Baringo North and fled with 31 head of cattle but were later overpowered and the animals recovered.

What used to be home to an estimated 3,000 people in Tiaty, Baringo County is now a ghost town. Since Monday dozens of families, fearing for their lives, have been migrating to Chesitet and Paka hills in search of a safe haven.

The sick and the elderly, according to residents' accounts, are among those feared dead. Pregnant women and children were not spared either and were forced to brave the scorching heat as they scampered for safety.

A visit to the now abandoned, dusty village of Chesitet that borders the volatile Pokot-Turkana border in Kapedo shows the destruction.

SMOKE EVERYWHERE

Sounds of crumpling iron sheets from what used to be Ameyen trading centre are dampening as days go by. "They started the operation in the morning. We don't even know the whereabouts of some pregnant women and children. The Government must stop this thing. We are suffering," said Carlos Kapkoikat, a resident of Silale near Kapedo.

Officers acting on a presidential directive to mop up the region of illegal weapons are allegedly on a mission to destroy. Residents accused them of setting ablaze what used to be Pokot homesteads and bringing down schools and shops.

Those who hid in the nearby bushes and have resurfaced narrated to The Standard how they watched in tears as the early morning destruction went on and the smell of burning cereals filled the air.

"I could not believe what the police were doing. I watched as they burnt the only foodstuff we had. It is the Government that donated the food to us and we cannot accept that it is now sending the police to destroy it. We blame the police, not the Government," a resident claimed.

Josephine Otieno, whose maize milling machine was burnt at Chesitet trading centre, said she was robbed of her means of earning income. She said she had invested more than Sh100,000 in the machine, the only one in the remote region, serving hundreds of starving families.

"Where shall I begin? What will I use to take my children to school? This is the worst thing I have ever witnessed. We thought police are supposed to protect life," said Ms Otieno.

Kasera Chelipo said she could not believe her eyes when she looked at the centre from atop Chesitet hills. "There was smoke everywhere and huge balls of fire. Officers were running across villages setting  as many houses on fire as they could," explained a terrified Chelipo.

She said she lost stock worth over Sh500,000 as well as cash in a fire. "Banks are far and at the same time we have been not been properly introduced to whatever services they offer and that is why traders here store cash in boxes," said Ms Chelipo.

Moses Kaseker is another victim of the destruction. His shop at Ameyen was brought down within seconds and items on display looted and set ablaze by people he claimed were "fleeing armed security officers on their way back to their temporary camp at Kapedo".

Here, three shops and two residential homes were completely flattened and others partially destroyed.

The situation is even worsened by the prolonged dry spell that has ravaged the region since January, already edging the largely pastoral community towards killer fangs of hunger as the police operation gains momentum.

On Monday, about 10 lorries carrying more than 300 police officers drawn from the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), the General Service Unit (GSU) and the regular and Administration Police (AP) under the command of Baringo County Police Commandant Hassan Barua, began the first leg of the disarmament.

HARASS LEADERS

This followed the Saturday attack of a police car in Kapedo that led to the killing of six people including three officers.

But, police spokesperson Masoud Mwinyi asked the affected residents to immediately record statements with police and promised that action would be taken against those involved if indeed they committed crime.

"If the information is true then it is shocking. Villagers with factual information must not hesitate to record statements. As at now, I have not received such a claim. However, investigation will commence to establish the truth," said Mr Mwinyi.

Senators from West Pokot and Baringo have condemned the destruction of property in the ongoing operation calling for a thorough investigation on the issue.

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi said security officers should operate above board during the operation and those behind the arson attacks must be investigated and brought to book.

"Destruction of schools and private property will never be a solution to this problem and that is why as leaders we demand for an immediate investigation into the whole issue," said Gideon while calling on leaders to stop politicising the matter.

He added: "All leaders in the region should come together and offer a solution to the problem and avoid politics in it. Engaging with everyone is the way towards finding a lasting solution."

West Pokot John Senator John Lonyangapuo said it was sad police officers sent to bring order and sanity in the region are engaging on illegal acts.

Mr Lonyangapuo said it was disheartening that the only school that served residents in the remote part of Kapedo had been burnt down by officers. "We all condemn acts of banditry and rustling but when officers go to the ground with the mentality that it is a wild region where it can do as it deems fit, there was no reason why they were sent from Nairobi," he said.

He said it was wrong for the security apparatus to use Turkana police reservists in the operation which would only worsen the situation. "What is happening now is like Turkana expanding its territory to Baringo. Why would police engage reservists from Turkana in the operation?" said Lonyangapuo.

The senator said the Government should not also harass leaders as this would only serve to fuel tension but instead it should engage them in finding a lasting solution. "What should be clear is that all of us support initiatives to bring peace," he said.