Tension in Baringo after bandits surround GSU camp, open fire

The bandit attack has sparked tension with eyewitnesses saying over 200 armed bandits engaged the security officers in a fierce gun battle. 

The incident is the latest in a series of bandit attacks in the area, classified as disturbed and dangerous, and which saw the deployment of a multi-agency security team to combat banditry.

Panic gripped Kapindasum village with scenes of pupils cowering on the floor, afraid for their lives as gunshots rent the air for over five hours. 

Witnesses say armed bandits attacked GSU officers on a routine patrol, prompting a gunfight that lasted more than 7 hours, paralysing all activity in the area and prompting questions as to why officers from the besieged GSU camp did not receive any support or reinforcement from the multiagency operation teams that have deployed and set base in the county, classified as disturbed and dangerous.

 “Kama 1km from shule wakapata bandits, wakaanza kupigana na askari kutoka saa tatu asubuhi mpaka saa kumi. Saa hii sisi hatujatoka nje mchana yote tumelala mpaka hata watoto hawajakula,” Wilson Sertoi, a villager said.

Kapindasum Primary School headteacher Elijah Kiptoon added: “GSU walikua patrol. 1km from the school walikutana na majangili wakaanza kupigana nao mpaka askari wakashindwa nguvu wakakimbilia huku shule kuitisha reinforcement. Kuitisha reinforcement wakafungia GSU, waka block njia ya kuingia kwa mto na ile ya hospitali na Chemuringon. Wakaanza kupiga GSU kutoka nyuma. Vita iliendelea.”

Confirming the incident police boss David Too says the bandits arrived in shifts and ambushed officers at the GSU camp, catching the officers off guard. 

The number of casualties from Tuesday’s attack is yet to be established, with reports that fighting is still ongoing. 

Renewed bandit attacks in the restive Baringo North and South sub-counties have dealt a blow to the government's efforts to weed out the banditry menace in the area, with Interior CS Prof Kithure Kindiki repeatedly vowing to win the war on banditry. 

The incident comes barely a month after bandits fired shots at Kapindasum Primary School as pupils were going for lunch. 

The school reopened this year after being closed since 2019 due to incessant bandit attacks in the area. No casualties from the attack have been reported.

“Tuko na shida sana tunaelekea kufanya mtihani na majambazi wameingia shuleni kwetu. Kindiki tunaomba ukuje utusaidie usalama yetu. Tuko chini tunalala hatujatoka kuanzia saa tatu,” a learner said.

“Wamekua na wasi wasi hata wajakula, hakuna masomo imeendelea hapa. Licha ya kua nina watoto mia mbili ishirini na saba ambao watafanya kcpe na kipsea,” said Kiptoon.

The attack comes a few days after armed bandits were seen arriving in the Arabal area, where a national police reservist was killed and three others injured. 

In the month of October, five people died in bandit attacks in the area, with residents reportedly fleeing due to insecurity. 

The attacks put in limbo the upcoming national exams, with fears that many registered candidates may miss their exams.