Tension has gripped Yatya village in the insecurity-prone Baringo North after a 13-year-old schoolgirl was abducted by armed criminals.
The incident, which occurred on Friday afternoon, involved a Grade Seven pupil at Yatya Primary School who was preparing an afternoon meal with her two younger siblings when two armed men accosted them and demanded that they go with them.
According to local resident Richard Chepchomei, the bandits ordered the children—who were alone at home at the time—to stop what they were doing and follow them.
“The armed men rounded up the children, but the toddler cried, prompting them to leave him behind. While on the way, the Grade Five boy managed to escape and made his way back to the village, where he reported the incident,” said Mr Chepchomei.
Security officers deployed in the area responded and pursued the criminals but were unable to trace them.
Mr Chepchomei expressed concern that the incident has sparked fear in the already volatile area, noting that such an abduction had never been reported before.
“We are very worried about the motive of the criminals, who are suspected to be from a neighbouring community. We now fear for the safety of our school-going children, especially those who walk long distances to school every day. Police should urgently locate the missing girl and apprehend the suspects,” he added.
Yatya Location Chief Jackson Keitany said they had followed up on the matter and received reports that the two armed men had been spotted with the girl in Riong’o, Tiaty East—more than 50 kilometres away.
“When we received the report from the boy who escaped, we mobilised locals and police to follow the trail, but we didn’t succeed because the area is overgrown with vegetation and shrubs. We liaised with chiefs from Tiaty and received reports this morning that the suspects were seen with the schoolgirl in Riong’o. We are yet to establish the motive behind the abduction, as such an incident has never occurred here before,” said Mr Keitany.
Baringo County Police Commander Julius Kiragu said security officers had been deployed to pursue the criminals, who are believed to have fled with the minor toward Tiaty East.
“The matter is under investigation, and our officers are pursuing the armed criminals to rescue the girl and apprehend the suspects. We are still trying to determine the motive behind the abduction,” said Mr Kiragu.
The abduction comes amid a resurgence of bandit attacks in Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties, which have claimed the lives of more than 22 people since the beginning of the year. Among the victims was Tot Catholic priest Allois Cheruiyot Bett, who was shot.
