Turkana governor Josphat Nanok has said that 11 people have died in the past one week due to banditry attacks in Turkana East and Turkana South sub counties.
Nanok blamed politics for the attacks, which he termed as ‘well-orchestrated move to disrupt elections and undermine the participation of the people in voting and the same time, act as a tool for the politicians to mobilize support by whipping the emotions of the residents.’
Nanok says among those killed included the seven who perished on Sunday night at Napeitom and three children from the same family and a community health worker based at Lokwar village unit, Turkana south.
Nanok said the affected areas are Napeitom, Kamuge, and Kapedo in Turkana East, and Lokwar-Kaputir in Turkana South.
During the Sunday night incident three adults and four school-going children were killed. Two other adults are currently nursing severe burn injuries.
He said the rest of the residents of Napeitom have fled and are displaced in Lokori, 35 kilometers away.
On Friday, two senior police officers were injured as they led in a gunfight with armed men who were robbing motorists along the volatile Kalemngorok-Lokichar road.
Chief Inspector Mustafa Nyapara who is the Officer Commanding Station, Lokichar and Inspector Abdirahman Abdi, the Officer in Charge Kalemongrok Police Post were shot in the head and leg respectively in the Friday shootout that was prompted by calls from the road users.
The governor condemned the spate of banditry attacks in Turkana South and East along the border of West Pokot and Tiaty in Baringo County that has led to the loss of lives, livestock, property, and displacement of innocent people in the areas.
The governor said that bandits seem to be employing mercenary scorched earth tactics razing houses to the ground and creating a wave of fear in neighbouring villages.
He said the county health team has extended emergency medical support and relief services to the victims of the unfortunate incident.
“Kenya Red Cross has also extended help to the victim to supplement the efforts of the County Government concerning casualty evacuation. The attack has also led to the interruption of medical and education services as schools and health facilities were closed due to fear of further attack,” he said.
He accused security agencies of laxity.
Kenya Red Cross Coordinator Rukia Abubakar told KNA that fighting was ongoing as late as 5pm on Monday at Kamuge and Nakwamoru.
ODM gubernatorial candidate Jeremiah Lomurukai called on the Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i to intervene and ensure the safety of the residents.
On her part, Turkana Women Rep candidate Cecilia Ng’itit has condemned the attack in Kapedo, Turkana East.
“I wish to condemn with the strongest terms possible the attack meted on the people of Napeitom village Kapedo/ Napeitom Ward Turkana East by the suspected bandits. I call upon the all the security agencies to speed up the investigation and bring the perpetrators to book,” she said.
