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Three police officers were at the weekend shot and killed when suspected cattle raiders attacked their vehicle at Seretion area in East Pokot District, Baringo County.
Another officer was critically injured during the ambush.
The three officers, a sergeant and two constables, were shot and killed by suspected Pokot bandits as they pursued them following an earlier raid at Ng’aratuko area in neighbouring Baringo North District where three people had been killed and livestock stolen.
Baringo County Commissioner Bernard Leparmarai confirmed the incident, saying two Land Rovers with about 30 officers from Chemolingot Police Station had been dispatched to lay ambush in escape routes when the incident happened.
“The incident happened Sunday evening when the officers were responding to the raid after they were informed that three people had been killed and livestock stolen and the raiders were headed towards East Pokot,” said Leparmarai.
The three officers, a sergeant and two constables, were shot and killed by suspected Pokot bandits as they pursued them following an earlier raid at Ng’aratuko area in neighbouring Baringo North District where three people had been killed and livestock stolen.
Baringo County Commissioner Bernard Leparmarai confirmed the incident, saying two Land Rovers with about 30 officers from Chemolingot Police Station had been dispatched to lay ambush in escape routes when the incident happened.
“The incident happened Sunday evening when the officers were responding to the raid after they were informed that three people had been killed and livestock stolen and the raiders were headed towards East Pokot,” said Leparmarai.
Slain officers
He said it was unfortunate that civilians can kill security officers who were rushing to save lives and property, adding that the culprits will face dire penalties if found.
“We are issuing a stern warning to the culprits that the Government is not going to rest until they arrest those behind the killings,” said the commissioner.
He said raiders outnumbered the officers but added investigation into the incident has been launched. Bodies of the slain officers, he said, are lying at Kabarnet District Hospital mortuary as the other injured officer is recuperating at the same hospital.
Earlier, suspected Pokot cattle rustlers had attacked Ng’aratuko village in Sibilo location and stolen more than 900 goats and sheep.
Baringo OCPD Omondi Musewe told The Standard that during the incident, two Pokot raiders were killed. He said a security team in Baringo liaises with their counterparts in East Pokot District whenever there is a raid along the border.
He added bodies of three civilians who were killed in Ng’aratuko were ferried to Kabarnet District Hospital mortuary.
Mr Musewe blamed retrogressive cultural practices among the Pokot community for the killing of the officers, saying that civilians were abetting cattle rustling in the area.
The killing of the officers happened barely a month after a senior GSU officer was shot and critically injured at Loruk in Baringo North as he was leading other officers in pursuing stolen livestock. The Anti-Stock Theft Unit inspector attached to Loruk Police Station is said to have been leading security officers in responding to a raid when the suspected raiders shot him.
Meanwhile, a team of security officers deployed nine months ago to protect the border between
Baringo North and East Pokot told The Standard that security has deteriorated in the region because their seniors abandoned them.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, they said they had not been able to contain security in the region because their needs have not been met. They said they have not been able to get their daily allowances and food supply to them in the camps have been unreliable.
“For the last three months, we have been forced to use our own money to buy food after we realised our seniors were reluctant or not willing at all to assist us,” said a police officer stationed at Chemoe.
Since last year, the officers said they have relied on only one vehicle to patrol the expansive border stretching several kilometres with communication and transport network problems.
Baringo North and East Pokot told The Standard that security has deteriorated in the region because their seniors abandoned them.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, they said they had not been able to contain security in the region because their needs have not been met. They said they have not been able to get their daily allowances and food supply to them in the camps have been unreliable.
“For the last three months, we have been forced to use our own money to buy food after we realised our seniors were reluctant or not willing at all to assist us,” said a police officer stationed at Chemoe.
Since last year, the officers said they have relied on only one vehicle to patrol the expansive border stretching several kilometres with communication and transport network problems.
“Lorries dumped us mid last year and left, we have suffered enough and we want action,” they appealed.
They now want Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo to intervene before the worst, like what was witnessed in Baragoi, happens.
Blame on politicians
The officers are calling on the Government to deploy additional police officers to Kagir, Chemoe, Chepkesin, and Arabal locations and provide aerial surveillance in Bartabwa and Arabal areas.
The officers said all routes used by the armed bandits when staging raids and stealing livestock are yet to be sealed off.
They called for thorough investigations on the raids in the region, which they blame on politicians who collude with senior officers.
“If the administration is not to be blamed, why do they restrain us at some point from pursuing the stolen animals by pretending to spearhead dialogue,” questioned an officer.
On Sunday, three police officers were shot and killed as another one was critically injured after suspected cattle raiders ambushed their vehicle in Seretion area, East Pokot District in Baringo County.
Credits: standard Digital
