Two children were burnt to death on Sunday after their house was set on fire during a security operation aimed at driving out armed Pokot bandits in Tiaty, Baringo County.
The minors aged two and four had been left in the house by their father Lobutakona Adomoi who was informed of the fire at 10 am.
"I took a boda-boda from Chemolingot centre and found that my two grass-touched houses had already been reduced to ashes. My children were inside," Mr Adomoi stated.
Heavily armed men burnt more than a hundred houses and displaced more than 2000 people in the operation that took place between 5 am and 11 am.
Ripko Member of County Assembly (MCA) Daniel Tuwit explained that the armed men arrived in nine lorries and two armoured police carriers.
The gunmen stole property and took more than 4000 goats in their lorries. The animals were allegedly taken across the North Baringo border.
Residents claimed the men were Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) from Kagir and Yatya stations in Baringo.
In February, Deputy President William Ruto issued a shoot-to-kill order after bandits killed a chief standing 50 to 60 metres from him during his tour to Baringo County.
Afterwards, the DP presided over the arming of 2400 reservists who were deployed to help in peace maintenance.
