Escalating Violence in Rift Valley: The Murders of Two Chiefs

Two chiefs in the Rift Valley region were murdered in separate incidents within 48 hours, prompting serious concerns over local security. The police are responding with increased measures, including a 24-hour ultimatum for surrendering firearms as bandit-related violence escalates. Residents demand decisive government action to protect their communities from ongoing attacks.

In the volatile Rift Valley region, two chiefs have been killed in separate banditry incidents within 48 hours, highlighting rising security concerns. The first victim, Victor Sebei, an assistant chief from Kong’asis Sub-Location, was fatally shot during a shootout between security forces and armed bandits in the Chepilat area. This incident occurred while police were tracking down criminals who had stolen livestock from Ng’aratuko village the previous night. Baringo County Police Commander Julius Kiragu has noted that the circumstances leading to Sebei’s presence at the scene remain unclear.

The second victim, Parara Lekiyierie, a former chief, was ambushed and killed by armed attackers who invaded his home in Samburu Central. Deputy County Commissioner Titus Omanyi lamented Lekiyierie’s loss, noting his role as a community peace mediator. Security forces are currently pursuing the perpetrators, believed to have escaped to nearby caves.

The killings are part of a troubling trend of violence in the region, which has seen multiple deadly incidents recently. A week prior, six people were killed during a cattle raid in Kilepoi, Baragoi. Bandit attacks have resulted in at least ten deaths since the start of the year, exacerbated by ongoing issues such as livestock theft and inter-community conflicts.

In response to the increasing insecurity, the government has issued an ultimatum for locals to surrender illegal firearms, with threats of forceful disarmament for non-compliance. The Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat announced the deployment of a multi-agency team to address the banditry issues. Efforts to profile illegal gun owners in Samburu County are underway ahead of a planned disarmament exercise.

Residents are urging the government to take decisive actions to mitigate the violence. One resident expressed despair, stating, “We are tired of living in fear. Innocent people are losing their lives in their own homes.”

The recent killings of two chiefs in the Rift Valley region underscore the escalating banditry and insecurity that plague the area. With multiple violent incidents reported, residents have called for urgent government intervention to combat this crisis. Efforts are being initiated to disarm illegal gun owners and restore peace within the communities, accentuating the dire need for effective law enforcement and community safety measures.

Original Source: ntvkenya.co.ke