Bandits Still Roaring Big In Elgeyo Marakwet, Chief and Police Officers Accused
Residents of Tigania East are visibly frustrated and angry as they march to the police commander’s office, demanding action against rampant banditry that has resulted in the theft of approximately 3,000 cattle in recent months.
The aggrieved community members are not only upset about the loss of their livestock, but they also accuse local authorities, including the chief and security forces, of colluding with the bandits.
Eliud Mwiria, a victim of the ongoing banditry, expressed his dismay at the authorities’ inaction and perceived complicity.
“When my cows were stolen, we were told that there was an upcoming operation. It didn’t happen. Later, we were told that the chief and some elders would bring back our cows,” Mwiria said.
“There is no way they can bring back ten cows while 10,000 were stolen. The person who brings back the cows must be arrested because seemingly, they know where the cows are. When you look at me, where do you think I can buy other cows?”
Give us guns,we need to take care of our cows.Meru people need to armed against bandits.
— Mhe Litundunya. (@litundunya) July 10, 2024
In less than 6 months, Meru has lost cows worth over 20m n over 30 people to bandits.
We cannot keep quiet any more. Our people need guns too.
Mainoo F-16 Maandamano Gachagua Toothbrush pic.twitter.com/9Fqu9OWofT
Japhet Nkunja, another resident, lamented the loss and the lack of recovery efforts, claiming that the animals are their primary source of income.
“Many cows have been stolen, many people have been killed, and there are no cows that have been brought back. This situation has hugely affected us because we depend on those animals at the market,” he stated.
Adding to the chorus of discontent, another resident criticized the authorities’ questionable tactics in dealing with the bandits, revealing that the region’s chief and police officers had been bargaining with the bandits.
“When the cows are stolen, the government goes to negotiate with the thieves,” he stated amid cheers from the crowd.
“We are told that the chief brings two cows, and then he is told that the others will come. The suspect is not taken to police custody, yet there are deaths committed, and the guns used are illegal.”
Banditry wrecking Havoc in Meru county. According to information from residents Bandits have been overpowering police and stealing cattles.
— Chris Sambu (@the_sambu) July 13, 2024
Banditry is getting out of hand in meru, particularly Nyambene region.The lower parts of Tigania East,Igembe central,igembe North are now… pic.twitter.com/plfKEgmh8G
He asked government agencies to increase security in the valley where bandits drive their cattle.
“We are asking the government to flush out those bandits, compensate the deceased, and compensate those whose cows have been stolen so that we know the government is taking care of us,” the complainant said.
They are requesting a more robust and transparent response from the government.
Bandits Still Roaring Big In Elgeyo Marakwet
Two people were shot dead by suspected bandits while collecting firewood in the Tot area of Marakwet East Constituency, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
BREAKING NEWS:
— Reagan's TV (@PeterReagan777) July 26, 2024
Two people killed by bandits at Tot area in Elgeyo Marakwet a day after Endo area was also raided#Paris2024 #NaneNaneMarch pic.twitter.com/bh885DIDfW
The two are said to have been fetching firewood in the afternoon when bandits ambushed them and killed them on the spot.
The officer in charge of peace in Elgeyo Marakwet, Lawrence Mutwol, confirmed the incident, stating that the bandits raided the area from the nearby Tiaty Constituency in Baringo County.
Mutwol now wants the government to intervene to restore security to the area, which is slowly recovering from previous attacks.
According to Mutwol, the incident occurred just hours after another attack in Endo on Thursday, in which bandits stole an unknown number of cattle and fled to Tiaty.
Bandits Still Roaring Big In Elgeyo Marakwet, Chief and Police Officers Accused
