A fresh wave of violent bandit attacks has hit Kainuk Town and surrounding villages along the volatile Turkana–West Pokot border, paralysing local economic activity and reversing recent gains in regional stability.
The sudden resurgence of banditry activities in the town and nearby areas along the Turkana–West Pokot border has shattered the fragile peace, causing loss of life, disrupting livelihoods, including farming and mining.
This is despite earlier signs of progress under government-led security operations. The region has enjoyed relative peace for over a year until the latest surge in violence, which now threatens to undermine the hard-earned stability and economic recovery along the restive border.
Bandits have this week killed two people and stolen 268 livestock and gold mining equipment in attacks targeting motorists, herders, farmers, and artisanal miners, raising concerns about the sustainability of peace and security in the region.
Traders and residents are counting heavy losses with the renewed attacks forcing them to close down their businesses and suspend daily activities.
The disruption comes less than two weeks after residents and local leaders made a formal request was made to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to review security measures introduced three years ago to contain insecurity in the North Rift region, among them a three-year curfew.
“Armed bandits are now disguising themselves as herders, grazing near schools and hospitals, and operating openly along the Kapenguria–Lokichar highway,” said Ms Mary Ngilimo, a resident of Kainuk.
“They shot and killed a herder and drove away livestock, and just this Wednesday, they exchanged fire with police for hours, disrupting businesses and gold mining operations,” she said.
According to Ms Ngilimo, the renewed gunfire is proof that illegal firearms were still in the hands of civilians who defy government efforts to restore order.
“We had seen over a year of peace. Hotels were reopening, youths were engaging in gold mining instead of criminal activity, but now, all that progress is at risk,” she said.
Another resident Mr James Echuchuka, echoed these concerns, noting that previous peace had brought hope.
“Farmers, motorists, and traders transporting fresh produce from Eldoret, Kitale, and Kapenguria were beginning to rely on Kainuk as a safe corridor. We even advocated for lifting the curfew in Turkana South to boost trade,” he said.
During a recent Jukwaa la Usalama forum in Lodwar, CS Murkomen said the government was considering easing the curfew based on positive security assessments from regional authorities.
“If stability continues over the next three months, we may lift the curfew entirely,” he said.
However, local leaders now say the situation has changed drastically.
Lobokat Ward Representative Samwel Aliwo warned that the ongoing insecurity was derailing economic activity and creating widespread fear.
“We cannot continue to lose livestock without recovery despite the presence of trained and well-equipped security forces. The government must act before Sunday,” he said, calling on the Interior Ministry to intensify security operations and ensure arrests of perpetrators and financiers of banditry.
“We must show that the Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift is still active and effective,” he stated.
Ms Margaret Arot, a Maendeleo ya Wanawake official in Kainuk, urged local authorities to strengthen peacebuilding efforts.
“We were starting to coexist. Pokot herders grazed freely, our youth mined gold for income, but now, renewed attacks and biased security responses are pushing us backward,” she said.
“Since Friday’s attack, we have reported the matter and even surrendered stray calves to police, but no decisive action has been taken,” she said.
Aroo Deputy County Commissioner Yusuf Salat acknowledged the concerns, saying his office has already convened meetings with local leaders to address the rising tension and restore calm.
