BANDITRY: Gov’t Launches Major Operation In Baringo After Chief’s Murder
Dozens of multiagency teams have been deployed to track out the perpetrators who killed a chief in Chipilat, Tiaty Constituency, Baringo County.
The administrator died while on a mission to recover stolen animals. This prompted.
Witnesses and police reported that the gunmen escaped with an unknown number of animals.
Bandits Kill Chief in Baringo:
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) March 22, 2025
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei warns the bandits
Koskei: We’ll not allow resurgence of bandit attacks
Chief killed during battle with bandits in Ngaratuko#CitizenWeekend @Wycliffeorandi pic.twitter.com/ny9iSOg6Qr
The chief was shot while heading a team to engage robbers who had stormed the Ngaratuko area on Thursday evening, according to local officials.
His body was discovered early Friday morning and taken to a local morgue.
He is the second person to be killed in the area in a week, as bandits continue their attacks.
Julius Kiragu, Baringo County Police Commander, verified the event and stated that more troops had been deployed to hunt the group.
The new squad dispatched to the area comprises special forces.
According to police headquarters, additional troops have been deployed to track the gunmen.
Baringo Runaway Insecurity:
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) March 21, 2025
A chief has been shot and killed in Chipilat, Tiaty Subcounty, Baringo County while on a mission to recover stolen livestock, despite being under heavy security.#NTVWeekendEdition @MichelleNgele_ pic.twitter.com/JCpLtqVsS2
The location is part of the ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift.
The operation has resulted in an overall decrease in banditry attacks in the wider north rift and neighboring areas over the last year.
Last year, at least 172 illegal guns were confiscated as part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift.
The Ministry of Interior also said that livestock rustling incidences have decreased significantly as a result of the operation.
The operation resulted in a 62% reduction in cattle rustling events, with cases reducing from 63,054 stolen animals to 23,668—a 39,386 head decrease.
“Notably, 172 illegal firearms were collected during mop-up exercises, and 10,173 livestock have been recovered,” a statement from the Ministry of Interior said.
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During the same time period, 250 suspects, including 14 political leaders, were detained and charged.
Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift, launched in February 2023, is a government security initiative aimed at reducing growing banditry, livestock rustling, and bloodshed throughout nine counties.
This includes Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Marsabit, Laikipia, Isiolo, and Meru.
Hot spots in these counties were labeled as “Disturbed” and “Dangerous” during the operation, which brought together the National Police Service (NPS) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in a coordinated attempt to restore peace and stability to the region.
BANDITRY: Gov’t Launches Major Operation In Baringo After Chief’s Murder
