Kerio Valley residents are living in fear after the resurgence of banditry attacks in the month of July 2023 after a relatively calm period of three months.
The attacks are believed to be led by a notorious bandit who escaped from a hospital in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet, on Monday, April 10.
In the recent attacks, the gang leader is suspected to have attacked a village in Kerio Valley leaving one person dead and two others injured.
Speaking to the press on Saturday, July 8, Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap urged security officers in the region to move with speed and apprehend the suspect.
While beseeching the residents not to stage retaliatory attacks, he explained that he had handed over details of the bandits to relevant security officials.
“He is leading a team of five. We have already told relevant authorities and expect the long arm of the government to nab the gang,” he stated.
Baringo County Commissioner Stephen Kutwa noted that the government had already swung into action to make sure the suspect and his team were brought to justice.
“We will have a police post in Kinyach, which is a centre for three communities. This will help us flush out the criminals,” he explained.
Despite reassurance from security agencies, residents from Kerio Valley faulted police officers for the recent attacks.
They noted that the suspect was taken to Iten County Referral Hospital by police officers after he was badly injured in a shootout.
While receiving treatment from the government facility, his gang staged a daring attack on the hospital and fled with their leader.
Keiyo North Police Commander Tom Makori on Wednesday, April 12, revealed that officers had been tricked into helping the wanted criminal.
“We received a call that there had been a banditry attack in Elgeyo Marakwet West and that some locals had been seriously injured.
“We thought that we were helping victims, at that time we did not know that we were aiding criminals,” he explained then.
