Armed men raided the home of the former speaker of the National Assembly Francis Ole Kaparo, located next to a police station in Laikipia North getting away with 17 camels on April 3.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, April 4, the former speaker revealed that a 58-year-old man was also attacked by the group of 20 men.
Kaparo’s home was one of six others raided in a span of one week amid the ongoing operation by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the police.
“All this is happening at a time when we are being told that there is an operation to end banditry in this area.
“We are all getting reports on TV and Radio but we have not seen any officers here. That man did not commit any crime, he was just doing his job,” Ole Kaparo stated.
Further, he blamed the government for the rising cases of insecurity in the area stating that the continuous threats from the Ministry of Interior were empowering bandits.
“They have been enabled by empty threats of government and they will continue to attack and kill us.
“We want to ask the government that if you do not have any power or intention to deal with this issue, please stop threatening these bandits because they will continue killing us,” he explained.
Locals led by Wilfred Legei called on the government to deploy more security officers in the region.
Legei stated that the attack on the home of the former speaker was a red flag since it is domiciled within the town next to a police station.
“If people can raid the home of this man which is right in the middle of town next to the police station, then surely there is no security in this area anymore,” Legei stated.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki earlier issued a vacate order to residents in bandit-prone areas giving a deadline of March 14, to allow the security officers in the area to flash out the bandits.
However, reports of bandit attacks continue despite KDF presence and the ongoing bombardment to contain the situation.
