Residents in Nakuru have blocked the busy Marigat-Nakuru Highway using stones and bonfires to protest the brutal killing of two locals and the injury of two others by suspected highway robbers in an incident that occurred on April 21 at Loberrer.
The demonstration has brought traffic to a standstill and made it impassable, causing transport and trade in the region to be disrupted as residents demand immediate justice and increased security presence in the region.
According to reports, two individuals were shot dead and two others were injured after bandits disrupted business along the Marigat-Loruk road in Baringo County and attacked traders on April 21.
The victims were on their way to Nginyang market when they were attacked despite travelling under police escort, with two lorries targeted in the assault.
Agnes Chepkeny, Mariget Market chair lady, said that lorries were on their way to deliver cattle to the market for market day, as is the norm every Monday.
''It is a very sad day for us. Every Monday, we go to Nginyang market for trading, but today, we got calls that those who had gone there were attacked and killed. It is very sad," Agnes narrated.
One of the drivers of the lorry said that the raid happened at around 8am when they noticed the bandits lined up on a slope along the road. The driver escaped unharmed, but his co-driver was shot and killed on the spot.
"The only reason I survived is that after the first gunshot, I did not stop; I was at high speed, and they shot my lorry severely and killed my co-driver."
"The driver of the other lorry was also shot dead because after seeing us being attacked, he stopped and tried escaping on foot," the driver narrated.
In the past two months, the county has experienced several attacks, causing tension in the area, with the attacks increasing in intensity in the last two months.
Despite being escorted by heavy police, the bandits went ahead and attacked the traders in what the residents have described as a change of strategy, from cattle rustling to attacking traders.
''The banditry has changed from cattle rustling to highway robbery and highway hijacking,'' the area OCPD said.
