The Ministry of Interior is probing claims of a mysterious white chopper that has been spotted in areas of Baringo County mostly affected by the banditry attacks.
Residents expressed fear that the chopper was allegedly supplying arms and ammunition to the bandits who have been terrorising them for years now, with attacks having spiked in the recent past.
During a peace meeting in Mochongoi in Baringo South on Wednesday, March 9, the residents alleged that a number of powerful individuals supply ammunition to the bandits.
The residents are now demanding that the government makes public the registration and ownership details of the helicopter, as well as its purpose of flying over Baringo.
Former police reservist, Eric Kibet, added that the government ought to be answerable for the business dealings of the mysterious chopper.
"For one to fly a helicopter or any other aircraft, one must get a license from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). We need to be told who owns [the helicopter] and what business it engages in. If it is the one supplying ammunition to bandits, it must be shot down," Kibet stated amidst cheers from the locals.
He pointed out that the chopper was first spotted in early January, weeks after bandits had attacked the region.
"At first, we thought it belonged to the police and was carrying out aerial surveys. To our surprise, security officers deployed here denied that it was theirs."
Another local claimed that since January, the chopper had been spotted more than four times and that attacks followed minutes after it left the area.
"It seems whoever operates it got wind that the locals were aware of its underhand dealings in the region and it stopped landing, but it hovers over the hill and we suspect it drops something before it leaves. It doesn’t take more than 10 minutes. Immediately after that, we will hear of an attack within the area or in neighbouring villages,” the local stated.
Addressing the residents, Rift Valley Commissioner, Mohamed Maalim, noted that the government was looking into the matter.
“You have said a helicopter suspected to be bringing a consignment of ammunition to the bandits disguising as herders has been seen hovering the notorious Korkoron Hills. The issue was also mentioned during our meeting with the county security team and I want to assure the locals that the matter is already under investigation,” he noted.
The reports come after more than seven people were killed in early March, days after Commissioner Maalim urged the bandits to surrender their illegal firearms.
Looking to deal with the threat, the government has deployed extra security personnel in order to deal with the problem.
