Baringo bandit attack victims terrorised even in camps

Baringo banditry victims sheltering in schools as IDPs say bandits are hiding in nearby bushes and sometimes even invade schools to terrorise and attack them.

They fled their homes because of bandit attacks but their situation is still dire. Many are sick and have no treatment. They have no money and the cordon of bandits won't let them leave.

“The bandits are living in the nearby bushes so we can’t risk trekking even a half a kilometer to fetch water downstream for fear of being shot," Magdaline Cheshire said.

She is one of hundreds of victims putting up and around Sinoni Primary School in Baringo South.

Despite camping in school compounds, the victims beg to be provided with security, saying sometimes the bandits even invade classrooms.

"Sometimes they kill and injure people without driving away any animals. That means they are more interested in pushing away the population and expanding their territory," Kasiela resident Wycliffe Kimarara said. He acted at the spokesman for displaced people.

Paulina Keitany, 60 was lying on the ground outside the classrooms. She complained of stomach upset and diarrhoea. She doesn't have money to go to hospital.

A number of people, especially children, suffer colds, malara and waterborne diseases such as typhoid.

SCHOOLS CLOSED

At least 14 schools have been closed down this year alone owing to heightened banditry in Baringo North and Baringo South. About 5,000 learners have sent home to shelter with their parents.

Among those closed are Chepkesin, Kagir, Yatya, Tuluk, Chemoe, Kapndasum, Kasiela, Arabal, Chemorongion, Katbara, Sinoni, Aburi, Tuiyotich and Karne, both nursery, primary and secondary schools.

Kimarara asked the government and well-wishers to contribute funds to meet the burial cost sof the two victims killed by bandits, settle the medical bills for the four injured and feed the people. 

"We are also requesting the government to consider compensating the families who lost their loved ones and livestock to banditry," he said.

It's barely three days since the Interior CS Fred Matiangi announced a thorough operation to flush out bandits from the area.

"But we are yet to see any serious action being taken, we only see helicopters flying idly in the air," Kimarara said.

They all urged swift hiring of National Police Reservists to assist police officers protect residents and their properties.

On Sunday an armored personnel carrier was on its way to the school but because of loose, rough terrain, it rolled several times. Two policemen were hospitalised but are out of danger.

"NPR will be most convenient because they always live with the people and in case of bandits strike, they repulse promptly as the police officers join them later,"  Kimarara said.

The displaced people also feel for their children missing out on learning after teachers from outside withdrew and fled back for their lives.

"The government should consider hiring more teachers from within so they can remain bold to teach our children even during such skirmishes," Kimarara said.

At least seven people have so far been killed and thousands of animals stolen as the bandits destabilise the region two month into the new year.

More than 6,000 illegal guns are suspected to be in the hands of civilians, including bandits, as  people accuse the government of dragging its feet in disarmament.

However, Pokot leaders from Tiaty and West Pokot counties led by MP William Kamket and Governor  John Lonyangapuo oppose forced disarmament and compensation of victims. They say everyone is a victim.

"Even we Pokots we need the government to compensate us for imposing shoot-to-kill order on us" Kamket said.

Lonyangapuo told the IDP victims, “Forget compensation like you forgot sucking the breasts of your mothers."

They spoke last year during a peace meeting at the Kenya School of Government in Kabarnet.

(Edited by V. Graham)