Network mast needed in remote volatile Baringo, Ruto told

Despite Bartabwa being infamous as the Valley of Death, it doesn't have a mobile network in case of bandit attacks and medical emergencies.

President William Ruto should not forget the state promise of a communications mast on a far-away sacred hill, residents said.

They now have to hike to the top of the hill to make calls.

It has been eight years since Ng’orora location senior chief Thomas Roktok was shot dead by armed bandits in Bartabwa, Baringo North. He and others were repulsing them from Deputy President William Ruto's rally. That's where the killers were headed.

His family is among thousands of residents who lost their loved ones, livestock and were displaced by bandits. Their life is squalid.

Residents want the President to fulfill his predecessor's promise in 2014 to erect a communication mast on the only hill with good network reception.

It would be in commemoration of Chief Roktok, he said.

“Upon being sworn in, we expect President Ruto to chip in to compensate and resettle the slain chief’s family with the other displaced bandit attack victims,” Bartabwa resident David Lomul said on Tuesday.

He said it's the role of government to protect people’s lives and property.

Chief Roktok was shot at close range and died in the bush. Residents say perhaps his life could have been saved if there had been a communications network in place.

More than 100 people including the chief, teachers and school children have so far lost their lives, others were injured and thousands of families displaced by bandits in the remote locality since 2012.

Chief Roktok had been pushing for installation of a communications network in case of bandit attacks and medical emergencies.

“Currently, in case of emergencies we are forced to run from door to door to alert neighbours,” Lomul said.

Since 2014, residents have been staring at the proposed site on Kasogot Hill.

The Star ascertained the rocky hill is ideal to supply reliable network across the region because the highest point already supports a 4G-network, even before construction of a network booster.

A network would promote businesses such as cyber-cafes, M-Pesa kiosks, bank agents and trading centres along Kipsaraman-Bartabwa-Kinyach tarmac road.

Residents are now appealing to Airtel and Safaricon to tour the area and instal a communication networks.

Also pushing for the mast is  Baringo North three-term MP William Cheptumo, now  senator-elect, whose home is a stone's throw away from the proposed mast.

The mast would serve more than 10,000 residents around Bartabwa, Atiar, Murwo, Tabarin, Kesumet, Buruyo, Kaitet, Kapturo, Chepkesin, Kinyach, Kalabata, Chemoe, Yatya, Chapin, Kaboron, Kapng'etio and Kaborion villages.

The area has public facilities like administrative offices, Bartabwa Health Centre, Arap Moi Primary and Secondary schools, which need a network.

Landowner Mzee Musa Cheruguny Kipkulei, 60, said he had transacted and han

Since 2014, residents have been staring at the proposed site on Kasogot Hill.

The Star ascertained the rocky hill is ideal to supply reliable network across the region because the highest point already supports a 4G-network, even before construction of a network booster.

ded over the hill as part of his ancestral land to network investor Safaricom, eight years ago.

"To date, it is yet to be installed although we desperately require the network booster n case of emergencies especially bandit attacks,” Kipkulei said on Tuesday.

Kipkulei said in emergencies, such as snakebites, heart attacks, strokes and women in labour at night people have to ran up and down to seek help.

"They simply cannot make quick phone calls due to total network blackout," he said.

Since 2014, residents have been staring at the proposed site on Kasogot Hill.

The Star ascertained the rocky hill is ideal to supply reliable network across the region because the highest point already supports a 4G-network, even before construction of a network booster.