Armed Gunmen Open Fire, Kill 3 Outside Busy Market

A file image of a man aiming to shoot
A file image of a man aiming to shoot
(COURTESY)

Tension rocked the residents of Chesegon, Arpollo area after three people on Saturday, August 28, were shot dead while heading to a market in West Pokot.

Reports indicated that the three were heading to the market on a motorcycle when they were ambushed and fatally shot by armed gunmen who had opened fire outside the busy market.

The incident was viewed as a retaliatory move in an ongoing feud between the West Pokot community and the Chesogon area.

West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo condemned the act and called for swift apprehension of the perpetrators.

An image of a team of police officers arriving at a crime scene on December 8, 2021.
An image of a team of police officers arriving at a crime scene in Nairobi on December 8, 2021.
Photo: DCI

"I am deeply saddened and disturbed by the loss of lives along the border of West Pokot/ Elgeyo Marakwet Counties especially the shooting of three people last evening at Sokotow near Chesegon. 

"Enemies of peace will not be allowed to sow seeds of discord in our society. My condolences and sympathies to the families of the three who lost their lives to bandits," he stated.

His sentiments were echoed by Elgeyo Marakwet County Deputy Governor Wisley Rotich who pointed out that without bringing the suspects to book, the war against crime would not be won.

"The current killings without justice breed a dangerous culture of revenge killings which most a time affect innocent people and destroy the economy of our people.

"This will deter others from joining this vice, but as it is, they only kill and maim at will. We urge the people of Kerio valley to remain calm as we pressure security agencies to act. Let us also report any suspicious characters," he acknowledged.

Criminal cases and killings within the Northern region have been rampant in the recent past with the police calling on residents to aid in identifying and reporting the perpetrators.

Recently, Rift Valley Regional Coordinator George Natembeya gave residents an ultimatum to surrender illegal firearms in a bid to curb the fight against banditry.

"Proliferation of illegal firearms here is very high and almost every family owns several guns, which they are using to wreak havoc. This is not a jungle. We want to restore normalcy once and for all," he stated.

A photo of George Natembeya addresses journalists on destruction in the Mau Forest Complex in his office in Nakuru on September 13, 2019.
George Natembeya addresses journalists on destruction in the Mau Forest Complex in his office in Nakuru on September 13, 2019.
Daily Nation
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