Tension is high along the West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties border after a 22-year-old man was gunned down at Chesuko Village, Susuk Sub location, Chepkokogh Location in Pokot Central Sub County during a daytime attack.
This comes after five people were killed at Chesegon location and more than three hundred cows stolen along the border of the two Counties last week.
Confirming the incident on phone, Pokot Central Deputy County Commissioner Geoffrey Kithinji said that a group of armed bandits suspected to be from the neighbouring Elgeyo Marakwet County raided the village and gunned down the man.
Mr. Kithinji said that the bandits killed the man in the bush while looking after his cattle. The commissioner said that cases of insecurity along the border had not affected education in the region since police were conducting daily patrols. “We have increased daily patrols along the border to ensure that school calendar is not affected,” he said.
The officer also said that they had provided national police reservists with enough ammunition and they are increasingly beefing up security along the border.
West Pokot County Police commandant Mathew Kuto has called on residents in the area to embrace peace. “We accept the blame and address grievances and we shall improve where we have failed,” said Kuto.
West Pokot leaders have condemned the escalating banditry attacks in the area. Led by Governor John Lonyangapuo, they have urged the government to disarm people with illegal firearms along the border of the two Counties.
