GSU officer shot dead, two injured by cattle rustlers in Baringo

A man herds cows around Lake Bogoria National Reserve in Baringo County on January 21, 2014. A General Service Unit (GSU) officer was shot dead and two others injured after they were attacked by suspected rustlers at Barpello area in Tiaty sub-county, Baringo County. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | FILE 

In Summary

• Police had to request for a helicopter from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to airlift the injured to Nairobi for specialized treatment.
• Leaders from the cattle rustling prone areas in Baringo County have demanded that the Baringo County assembly puts in place measures to curb the menace which has also led to closure of many schools.

By WYCLIFF KIPSANG
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A General Service Unit (GSU) officer was shot dead and two others injured after they were attacked by suspected rustlers at Barpello area in Tiaty sub-county, Baringo County.

The officers were among a contingent of GSU, Administration Police and Regular Police officers who were on their way to Marigat after recovering 75 goats and four cows which had been stolen at Kapindasum area in Baringo South Sub-County on Thursday mid-night by suspected armed Pokot raiders.

Baringo County Commissioner Benard Leparmarai said that the injured officers were airlifted to Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi for specialized treatment and that they were in stable condition.

“The officers had managed to repulse the raiders and were coming back with the animals when they were ambushed by the armed raiders who sprayed them with bullets,” said Mr Leparmarai.

The officers could not immediately get air support from the Kenya Police Airwing since the entire unit’s helicopters are grounded.

Police had to request for a helicopter from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to airlift the injured to Nairobi for specialized treatment.

All the MI-17 helicopters owned by the police are not serviceable. One was involved in an accident in Kapsabet while the other three are to be overhauled.

The National Police Service had placed tenders for the overhaul which were later presented before the Technical Evaluation Committee who completed their findings which were then forwarded to the Ministerial Tender Committee at the Office of the President through the police headquarters. However it is still pending.

The county commissioner added that more security officers had been deployed to the area to pursue the raiders.

“This is clear indication that many herders are still in possession of illegal firearms. We will rest at nothing until all firearms in the wrong hands are re-possessed,” said Mr Leparmarai.

Last year, six people among them three police officers were killed by suspected Pokot raiders at Ng’aratuko area in Baringo North sub-county. The raiders stole more than 280 animals.

Leaders from the cattle rustling prone areas in Baringo County have demanded that the Baringo County assembly puts in place measures to curb the menace which has also led to closure of many schools.

The most affected schools are Arabal, Ramacha, Nosukro, Ruggus, Ng’elecha and Chemorokyon Primary Schools where learning has been paralyzed.

The leaders said that following the perennial raids, four locations; Ruggus, Mukutani, Arabal and Kiserian remain deserted to date after locals fled their homes fearing for their lives with six people killed since the beginning of this year alone.