One person has been confirmed dead and two others have been seriously injured during a bandit attack at Mukutani Baringo South yesterday evening, barely two days after Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya issued a 30 day ceasefire, stopping the security operation in Tiaty which was aimed at flushing out bandits.
While confirming the incident, Baringo Police Commandant Robinson Ndiwa said that a 60 year old man was killed on the spot by the bandits and two other people were also injured during the deadly shoot out including a woman and a child.
The two are currently recuperating at Baringo Referral Hospital Kabarnet while the body of the deceased is lying at the hospital’s morgue.
This comes barely 48 hours after Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya bowed to a request by Pokot leaders to be given a 30 day ceasefire so that they can continue with efforts of finding peace by themselves.
Led by West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo, Senate majority leader Samuel Poghisio, Tiaty MP William Kamket and Tiaty MCA’s, the leaders appealed for forgiveness and 30 days of ceasefire, saying that their people have suffered a lot during the security operation.
The meeting which was held at Lake Bogoria Spa Resort on Tuesday was also attended by Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, Baringo Woman representative Gladwel Cheruiyot, Tiaty professionals and members of the clergy.
Joseph Tarus a resident, condemned the incident accusing the government for turning a deaf ear on their cries, since they have lost a lot of lives and that the 30 day ceasefire was ill advised as it came at a time when cases of insecurity are still being witnessed.
Another resident, Amos Olempaka, said that the operation has been politically interfered by some few politicians who are enemies of peace.
He also requested the government to bring back National Police Reservists (NPR) so that they can intensify security in the region.