At least 10 women have given birth in the last five days
at various IDP camps in Baringo county where bandit attacks continue to take place.
Four delivered in a camp at Sibilio, two at
Kapkomon
and four others at
Nyimbei.
The situation at the camps is deplorable as mothers and their newborns lack basic medical services, food and water. The nearest dispensary is more than 30 kilometres away.
“Some of them are sick and require urgent medical attention," resident Richard Chepchomei told the Star on Tuesday.
“Poor roads and horrible terrain deter movement by foot [and can only be surmounted by] conditioned rough-ride vehicles."
Internally displaced persons at Kapkomon IDP camp in Baringo North subcounty, which has been affected by bandits attacks, February 27, 2017. /JOSEPH KANGONGO
The Kenya Red Cross Society stopped operations
on Sunday
on its officers at Kampi ya Samaki, Baringo North subcounty while they transported food to Lomelo, Turkana South.
But it restored the humanitarian services on Tuesday
and
is helping the women and their infants.
Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi on Tuesday ordered two ambulances to visit the camps to carry the expectant mothers to the nearest health facilities and Kabarnet County Referral Hospital.
“It is sad to hear that an expectant mother delivered in such pathetic conditions under our watch. So I order the ambulances in
Marigat
and Bartabwa to start getting them to hospitals,” he said.
Cheboi asked donors and well-wishers to help by giving food, clothes and tents.
A sick child rests at Kapkomon IDP camp in Baringo North subcounty, which has been affected by bandits attacks, February 27, 2017. /JOSEPH KANGOGO
Deputy President William Ruto and ordered full-scale security operations to flush out the criminals.
He also issued a shoot-to-kill order against the attackers, who had just killed 10 people, injured two and displaced more than 30,000.
This was after
defiant bandits launched a fresh attack in Baringo North sub-county, driving more than 300 animals away. They also killed a chief who was part of team providing security for Ruto.
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