One person has been gunned down and another seriously injured at Cheputulel location, in Pokot Central Sub County, West Pokot County after suspected bandits from the neighbouring community sprayed bullets on them in a Sunday evening attack.
The two who were on a motorcycle, the bike owner and passenger, were heading to Chesegon from Lomut trading centre and were ambushed by an unknown number of bandits who were armed.
Confirming the incident Pokot Central Sub County deputy County commissioner Mr. Were Simiyu said at around 4pm on Sunday evening unknown gunmen believed to be from the neighbouring Sub County shot and fatally injured one, Lotuma Kilimo a Pokot male adult aged 35 years, and critically injured another, John Lokoyel a Pokot male adult aged 33 years. “There is tension after the killings but a contingent of security personnel is on the ground to contain the situation, the cause of the attack is yet to be known,” he said.
Area leaders led by West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo, Kacheliba Member of Parliament Mark Lomunokol and his Sigor Counterpart Peter Lochakapong condemned the incident and connected the fresh attack to the withdrawal of firearms from the National Police reservists (NPRs) in the region.
The leaders are now demanding for restoration of the firearms to the NPR. Governor Lonyangapuo has demanded an explanation from the government on what was the objective of the regional commissioners in Tot area. Lomunokol said they will be forced to protect themselves if the government has failed to give them security.
On his part, Lochakapong wondered why NPRs on the Pokot side have been disarmed yet those from the neighbouring communities are still in possession of firearms.
Cheputulel location acting chief Mr. Julius Matara said they could not establish the number of assailants as they sprayed bullets while hiding in the thickets.
He added that the deceased was shot on the chest while the one who was wounded, and two bullets were lodged in his leg. “The incident happened 200 meters from the anti-stock theft camp. Immediately after the shooting, police officers responded and repulsed the bandits who disappeared in the thickets, ” he said.
The injured person John Lokoyel was taken to Kapenguria Referral Hospital where he is recuperating while the deceased’s body was taken to the same hospital mortuary.