One person was killed and 25 traders rescued from lynching by suspected Pokot bandits in
Tiaty Sub-County, Baringo, on
Tuesday.
Erastus Kubui, from Laikipia County, was one of hundreds of traders who had been selling their wares at Amayan market when they were ambushed.
Sources said the attackers hurled stones and sticks at Kubui in the incident at about 2pm, killing him at the scene.
Police rescued 25 traders by letting them into their vehicles and locking others up in buildings.
"Officers rescued people who were on the verge of losing their lives,” said Baringo County Commissioner Henry Wafula.
Wafula said they had not established the reason for the clashes and announced that the market will remain closed as police hunt the criminals.
Many deaths and injuries have been reported as clashes rock the county.
A chief said social media reports indicated that two Pokot traders who were reported missing last Thursday had been found dead
The administrator, who did not want to be named, gave this report today on the fate of traders
Lokibet Lotem and Yolenyang Nayole.
"This may be why the attack on Amaya market took place," he said, adding a total of four Pokot residents were missing.
Following the incident,
security officers in the new Tiaty East Sub-County held a meeting led by Deputy Commissioner Reuben Ratemo.
The meeting at Churo Amaya discussed matters including help for traumatised victims of the attack.
Churo Amaya was the home to the late MCA Thomas Minito who had been missing for three days when his body was found floating along River Oldongo Sobuk in Athi River on
May 19.
He and other leaders in the area had been accused of breeding conflict by way of cattle rustling.
The menace is also being experienced in
Laikipia, Baringo North, Turkana and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties.
About a year ago,
Loyamorok MCA Kibet Cheretei and Tiaty parliamentary aspirant Pepe Kitambaa were killed.