Plight of over 1,000 families displaced in Baringo amid bandit attacks

At least 1,000 households have fled their homes in parts of Baringo North as insecurity in the region escalates and bandits continue to challenge the government.

Families have fled to safer areas of Koroto, Kabirmet, Barsimoi, Kipcherere, Mogotio and Marigat, but life away from home is proving challenging for them.

Citizen TV visited Risper Chebor who was welcomed to her new home in Mogotio, Baringo County, by a friend.

She and her 5 children had to flee their home in Ng’aratuko, Baringo North, when the area became insecure.

Risper says this is the sixth time that she has had to find alternative shelter for her children to keep them safe, adding that change could have an effect on their lives.

“Tulitoka juzi wakati vita ilianza ikauwa hata watoto wa shule, tukaona tujiokoe. Shida sasa iko ni kujua watoto watasomea wapi kwa sababu huku hakuna mashule, upande mwingine kumefungwa,” she said.

Risper says the incessant bandit attacks have taken a toll on her family and she cannot take steps to better her life and the lives of her children due to the conflict.

“Sisi tumehangaika, serikali mnaonaje hii maisha? Hakuna vile tunaishi, sisi ni Wakenya au namna gani?” She posed.

Jackson Lotuk, who lives in the neighbouring area, moved into a rented house this week. He says he fled the area as last year's events where bandits attacked his home leaving his two sons dead are still fresh on his mind.

“Serikali itusaidie sisi, kuja kwa akili yote utuokoe sisi,” he lamented.

More than 1,000 families have been displaced in Baringo North, Saimo Soi and Bartabwa wards, according to an assessment done by a multi-agency team comprising officers from the national and county governments and the Kenya Red Cross. 

On Thursday night, bandits drove away livestock in Sibilo village.

“We want to head to Parliament and see how we can pass a bill that will see the military conduct the full operation,” Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro said.

“As the budget appropriations committee, we want to ensure that we get funds for the development of these bandit-prone areas and work hand in hand with security teams.”

In Kainuk, Turkana, tens of residents staged demos to protest the rising insecurity in the region saying assailants are abducting residents. Three people have been kidnapped in less than one month.

“Tunaomba serikali tupate amani kwa sababu eneo hili limekuwa na changamoto,” a resident, Daudi Suleiman, said.

Another resident, Nikidorumo Silas, added: “Kuna watu watatu ambao hatujui wameenda wapi….sisi tunataka CID ikuje kuchunguza visa hivi.”

The bandits have in recent weeks dared the government, challenging the security teams that were deployed in the 6 counties of the North Rift to restore peace.

This includes military officers who were posted in the region last year as part of a plan by the government to bring a lasting solution.