By Kipilat Kapusia
After bandits gunned down a Grade Six pupil at Chesegon area in West Pokot County on Thursday evening, another pupil aged 12 of Tirap Primary School was shot dead in the Friday morning attack by suspected bandits at Cheptet village.
The bandits who are believed to be from Kaben Location in Marakwet East ambushed the boy, killing him on the spot.
Ruto Ng’orianya, the victim, was killed at 6 am by bandits at their home while going for a short call near Cheputel Boys High School.
Tension remained high along the West Pokot-Elgeyo Marakwet border after the incidents.
Confirming the incident, West Pokot county commissioner Apollo Okello said the bandits seem to be on a retaliatory attack after a raid was conducted in Baringo County last week.
He added that the bandits have decided to take revenge on the West Pokot side as tension continues to grip in the area.
He noted that the bandits may be revenging last week’s incident by bandits from Tiaty in Baringo who had killed a man from their community.
“Anti-stock theft police officers have launched a man hunt for the bandits who dashed in the thickest after the attack,” he said.
A local, Melmoh Omidoh said that the boy was killed when his parents were in the house by the criminals who had hidden a bush in their home.
“We have got the ammunition that killed him and found out that it was from a G3 that belongs to the Government,” he said.
Fresh attacks have resurfaced in the area despite the ongoing security.
Area leaders now want the Government to walk the talk.
Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong now wants the government to withdraw all the guns given to National police Reservists in Elgeyo Marakwet County and arm all the communities in the region.
“It is now clear that the government has failed to protect its people. Let the Government come out clear so that we can protect ourselves. It is bad to arm one community and leave out their neighbors,’ he said.
Professionals from the area have faulted the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki for taking sides in the security issues.
“He has refused to meet with Pokot leaders as has been done by leaders from other communities. He has visited all counties affected by insecurity apart from West Pokot. He has armed all communities apart from the Pokot community.
“The security team killed our livestock at Kainuk. More than 2000 cattle were stolen from the Masol area. The military officers are used to protect criminals,” lamented Dennis Kapchok, the Secretary General of the Pokot professionals.
According to the Professionals, the Government has failed to contain the security lapse in the troubled Kerio valley region.
Schools in the area that have been affected by insecurity include Chesegon, Cheptulel, Arpollo, Sabulmoi, Cheratat, Tilakai ,Chemalei Primary, Cheptulel Boys, Sarimach, and Cheptulel Girls.
Fresh attacks have seen more than 50 people dead and hundreds of livestock stolen. Many families have also been displaced in Kerio Valley since the year began.
This has derailed development; schools shut down and infringed fear among locals who have since migrated from the area.
