Raiders resort to stabbing and strangling victims as Baringo war turns ugly

NAKURU:  Violence has hit Baringo County for the last one week with raiders from rival communities reportedly resorting to strangling and stabbing their victims, a new wave of attack which has gotten the government flat-footed.

Thursday, one man was killed in Sangorok village in Baringo North on the Tugen-Pokot border after armed Pokot militia attacked the area making away with 60 herds of cattle.

Residents told The Standard that two children age between 10 and 12 years who were looking after the livestock were strangled before one of the bandits prevailed upon his accomplices to leave them after police officers in the company of Kenya Police Reservists arrived.

"When they find children or individuals walking alone they strangle them to avoid "wasting" bullets. This war has just escalated and it is getting worse," said Reuben Kiprop, a resident of Ngaratuko village.

The deceased, Chemwei  Nabolo, 20 was killed when the bandits ambushed a police vehicle which was carrying officers and the KPR after residents raised alarm on the 2pm raids.

Tension remains high in Baringo North as residents flee their homes for safety.

Residents have accused leaders for abandoning them to deadly attackers whose mission, they say seems to a systematic expansionist move plotted by high-placed individuals.

Since the raids which have for the past two weeks claimed five lives and displaced close to 10,000 people, Baringo Governor Ben Cheboi and Bariingo North MP William Cheptumo, whose residents have been turned to “refugees” in their own land have not visited the affected area and have never openly condemned the killings.

Already, four people are recuperating at the Baringo County Referral Hospital in Kabarnet with gun injuries sustained during the Thursday ambush.

Friday, Rotuno Kamoyo, a 9-year old girl was stabbed and strangled by Turkana raiders in Silale in Tiaty. The girl was rescued by residents and by the time of going to press, she was being rushed to Chemolingot Health Centre.

Silale ward representative Nelson Lotellah said that 17 camels, the minor was herding were taken away towards Lomello.

He said that one of the Turkna raiders was later killed after a fierce fire exchange between them and a man who was herding his animals near Lomello.

Last year, Pokot leaders blamed the killing of the 21 police officers at Kapedo on the beheading of a 10 year old boy near Kapedo by Turkana herders.

The Standard has learnt the Marigat-Kapedo and Kapedo-Lomelo road remains impassable following the incident.