Tension is high at the troubled Chesegon area, along the West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet border point after three people were on Saturday evening gunned down by suspected bandits from the neighboring community in fresh attacks.
The three were shot dead at Cheptulel area Chesegon division half kilometer from Marakwet East border, West Pokot County.
Confirming the killings, West Pokot county police Commander Mr Jackson Tumwet said that about 1545 hrs on Saturday evening the three who were riding on a motorcycle from Lomut market heading to Sokouto area were gunned down by bandits believed to be from Marakwet East.
He said bandits crossed over to Pokot side and shot three who were from their daily duties heading home.
“Security personnel from Sigor and Lomut have accessed the scene and removed the victims who suffered fatal injuries,”said Mr Tumwet.
Mr James Kapeyon Cheptulel location area chief said the bandit’s gunned down the three and stole their mobile phones.
Area leaders led by Sigor Member of Parliament Peter Lochakapong have condemned the incident saying the security situation was getting out of hand.
Mr Lochakapong wondered why bandits from West Pokot,Elgeyo Marakwet and Tiaty have not been arrested despite residents unmasking them .
He noted the bandits who are killing people are well known and action should be taken.
‘We want to see them arrested, dead or alive,”said Mr Lochakapong.
Mr. Lochakapong called on residents not to retaliate .
“We only have a few criminals who want to destabilize peace in the region,”he said.
Pokot Central Deputy County Commissioner Mr Simiyu Were said police officers have been deployed in the area to reduce tension.
Close to thirty people have been killed, residents displaced and property destroyed and hundreds of livestock stolen in Kerio valley along the border of the three counties since the year started.
