Three people, including two primary school children and an adult, were brutally killed in a night raid in Koitumo, Marakwet East, on Monday.
According to police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the attack was carried out by suspected bandits in what is believed to be an act of retaliation. The attackers, who also stole livestock, managed to escape before security forces could respond.
Authorities say the violence was triggered by an earlier attack in which a 17-year-old boy was shot dead on Monday afternoon.
Armed bandits had ambushed a group of herders as they took their cattle to the Kerio River for water. The gunmen opened fire indiscriminately, causing panic among the herders, who fled for their lives. In the chaos, a bullet struck Longoria Krop, killing him instantly.
After the fatal shooting, the attackers—believed to be from Elgeyo Marakwet—drove away with stolen livestock toward Marakwet East. Later that evening, a second wave of violence erupted, which authorities suspect was in retaliation for the earlier attack.
So far, security forces have not confirmed any arrests or the recovery of the stolen animals.
The latest incident adds to a growing list of violent attacks in the region. Just last month, three people lost their lives in a separate bandit attack along the Tot-Kalowa road, intensifying fears over security in the area.
In December, President William Ruto stressed the importance of both security measures and spiritual intervention in tackling banditry. He remarked, “We are also spiritual beings. As a government, we are doing everything within our power, but there are some things that require divine intervention. That is why we invite God.”
Despite the government deploying elite security units such as the Special Operations Group and the General Service Unit (GSU) to the North Rift region, bandit attacks continue to escalate, leaving residents in fear and uncertainty.
Join Gen z and millennials TaskForce official 2025 WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time the ongoing situation https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
