The incident, which happened barely a day after three police officers and three other people were killed in neighbouring East Pokot District, has raised tension among the locals.
According to locals, about 50 armed rustlers invaded the village at around 5pm on Monday and shot the man, identified as Nandilo Lekwaro, 20, killing him on the spot. They then drove away over 200 livestock.
Marigat DC Saul Moywaywa told The Standard that security personnel and the newly-recruited Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) were still pursuing the stolen cows and the culprits.
“We have given out eight guns to the KPRs who had been identified to reinforce security, recover livestock and maintain peace in these areas,” said Moywaywa.
He said the cattle rustlers are thought to have fled with the livestock towards Korossi through Arabal-Mukutani route.
The body, he said, was taken to Kabarnet District Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
Locals led by Amos ole Mpaka have petitioned the Government to declare its stand on the frequent attacks and killings in the area.
“From the look of things, the Government seems to have been defeated by these rustlers since even the police are being killed by the same bandits. The Government should arm the civilians to be able to protect themselves,” lamented Mpaka.
So far, seven people have been killed in Baringo County following the insecurity menace, among them three police officers, two suspected rustlers and a 14-year-old Standard Five boy in Baringo North.
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.
East Pokot DC Daniel Kurui told The Standard in his office in Chemolingot yesterday that rugged terrain and poor communication network was to blame for the killing of the officers.
“A total of about 30 officers had been dispatched using two vehicles to lay ambush in different routes as one crew went to Kasogon while the one that was attacked had been dispatched to Chesirimion,” said Kurui.
He said ten other officers out of the 14 took cover and survived the ordeal.
The DC also recommended that the Government gives chiefs in rustling-prone areas firearms in order for them to be of help during attacks. -Standard Digital
