Police recover 225 goats stolen by bandits in Baringo

Police officers in Baringo County on Friday recovered 225 goats that had been stolen by bandits in Baringo North sub-county.

The officers drawn from the larger ‘Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift’ team swung into action after a distress call was raised at Ngaratuko grazing field in the locality.

The National Police Service (NPS), in a statement released on Saturday, said the officers intercepted the bandits in Tiaty East sub-county and overpowered them after a fire exchange.

“Yesterday, April 21, 2023, the security team attached to the ongoing 'Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift' swiftly responded to a distress call of marauding bandits that stole 225 goats grazing at Ngaratuko Grazing within Baringo North Sub-County,” read the statement.

"The security team subdued the bandits after a fierce fire exchange, hence recovering all the stolen animals.”

It added: "We acknowledge the vital role played by the local communities in the fight against banditry and cattle rusting, and commend them for their support that lead to the recovery of the stolen livestock."

Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki recently doubled security in the North Rift region in a bid to put an end to the banditry menace once and for all.

“We are up-scaling the numbers of security agents we have. We are doubling them, and as I have announced, this deployment will not cease with the end of the operation," the CS said when he appeared before Parliament.