One person shot dead in Baringo attack

By Wesley Rutto

One person was killed and a woman injured Sunday morning when armed bandits raided Arabal area in Marigat town in Baringo County.

The woman who is admitted at Kabarnet Referral hospital is the wife of former Arabal ward councilor Francis Kipkitai.

She was shot in the arm and chest by the attackers who staged the attacks Saturday night. Witnesses said random attacks were still taking place with hundreds of families fleeing the area.

Arabal chief William Koech told KBC that the raiders made away with unknown number of livestock adding that heavy fighting was still going on.

He expressed fears that the incident could be a retaliatory attack following the killing of two prominent politicians in the area.

Loyamorok Ward MCA Fredrick Kibet Cheretei together with Simon Kitambaa were shot dead Friday night at a local pub by masked men who proceeded to torch a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle belonging to one of the victims.

Two masked men, one armed with an AK47 and another with a machete stormed one of the tents where the victims in the company of friends were having drinks and opened fire killing the two.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery has called for calm vowing that no stone will be left unturned until perpetrators are brought to book.

Despite Nakiassery’s assurance, tension still reigns in the area.

Read related story: MCA, Parliamentary aspirant killed in Baringo

Protests

The latest attack has sparked protests in Marigat town. Bonfires were lit along the busy Marigat-Loruk road.

Residents of Tiaty constituency have issued a 48 hour ultimatum to authorities to apprehend the culprits threatening to take the law into their own hands.

This comes even as leaders continue to petition the government to address escalating cases of criminality across the nation.

Baringo county assembly speaker William Kamket issued a two day ultimatum to the county administration to expedite investigations and apprehend the killers with locals threatening to take the law into their own hands.

Residents have however been urged to maintain calm and refrain from any acts of violence while the investigating arm carries out its work.

The horrific incident continues to elicit reactions with Baringo governor Benjamin Cheboi urging communities in the region to co-exist peacefully.

Nominated Member of Parliament Sarah Lekorere also expressed concerns over threats being issued to political aspirants ahead of the August general elections.

Additional information by Antony Kaikai