The recent resurgence of bandit attacks in the restive Kerio Valley has dealt a significant blow to government efforts to restore peace and order in the region.
For more than seven months, the area had experienced relative calm following intensified security operations and the establishment of security camps in known escape routes for armed criminals.
The Kerio Valley, infamously known as the "Valley of Death ," has been plagued by incessant banditry, resulting in hundreds of deaths, including those of security officers, displacement of thousands, and widespread loss of livelihoods.
In February 2023, the government launched a multi-agency security operation targeting bandit-prone areas in Baringo, Samburu, Laikipia, Turkana, West Pokot, and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
The operation, involving the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), National Police Reservists (NPR), and specialised police units such as the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), and the General Service Unit (GSU), aimed to seize illegal firearms and flush out criminals.
Despite initial success, fresh attacks have erupted, particularly in Saimo-Soi and Bartabwa wards, displacing thousands of residents and paralysing learning in schools such as Yatya, Kagir, Kosile, and others.
According to government statistics, over 10,000 residents have been displaced, with areas like Barketiew, Loruk, Sibilo, and Rondinin bearing the brunt of the violence.
In Baringo North alone, more than 20 people have been killed since January 2024.
Baringo County Commander Julius Kiragu noted that the government had set up police camps in strategic locations, including Kapsebeiwa, Kosile, and Yatya, to ensure safety and repel attacks.
"We have also deployed three armoured vehicles for routine patrols in Saimo/Soi ward," said Mr Kiragu.
He added that the security operations, supported by police reservists, had managed to flush out criminals and restore sanity, prompting some displaced residents to return home.
In March last year, the multi-agency team bombed Tandare Valley, a notorious hideout for bandits in Baringo South. However, despite these measures, renewed attacks have left locals fearing for their safety.
In Loruk, Baringo North, 55-year-old Musa Chemursoi was shot dead by bandits while pursuing stolen livestock.
Similarly, another attack near Tot in Kerio Valley resulted in the deaths of three people, including two women and a motorcyclist.
Kerio Valley Sub-County Police Commander, Zablon Okoyo, confirmed the Tot incident, stating that six attackers stole 11 cattle before ambushing and killing the victims near Kerio River.
"We are pursuing the attackers and have liaised with our counterparts in Baringo County to arrest them," said Mr Okoyo, urging locals to remain calm and avoid revenge attacks.
During the burial of the slain man in Loruk, residents and leaders expressed frustration over the government's inability to end the perennial insecurity. Wycliffe Tobole, a local professional, criticized the government for failing to provide lasting solutions despite the deployment of hundreds of security officers.
"If President William Ruto's administration cannot solve this menace, then we will never get a solution," said Mr Tobole.
Religious leaders, such as Reverend Elijah Cheruiyot, called for the disarmament of civilians possessing illegal firearms.
"The illegal guns are the root cause of unrest in this area," he said.
Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap echoed these sentiments, urging the government to neutralise armed criminals and deploy helicopters to aid in the recovery of stolen livestock.
“This business of killings and stock theft in Baringo County must stop, and the bug stops at the President. Those criminals killing and stealing from people should also be killed to end this perennial problem,” said Mr Makilap.
Residents are appealing to the government to heighten security and patrols to prevent further attacks. They also demand compensation for losses incurred due to the state’s failure to ensure their safety.
As the dry spell continues, tensions remain high, with herders moving into Kerio Valley in search of water and pasture, exacerbating the insecurity.
