National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has called on leaders from Baringo County to take an active role in promoting peace as a wave of killings continues to ravage the region. Speaking in Parliament, Wetang’ula expressed deep concern over the persistent violence, noting that at least 10 people have been shot dead by marauding bandits in Baringo since the beginning of the year. He challenged legislators to use the parliamentary recess to return to their constituencies and engage communities directly in peace-building initiatives.
“It is disheartening that young people, who ought to be in school, are roaming the villages armed with guns and causing havoc,” said the Speaker. He urged members of Parliament to lead from the front, particularly by working closely with local youth and elders to foster peaceful coexistence.
Wetang’ula singled out youthful Mogotio MP Reuben Kiborek, encouraging him to spearhead efforts to mobilize young people toward dialogue and positive change. “It is young leaders like you who must rise to the occasion and speak to the youth. Let us use our influence to promote peace and development and end the ongoing bloodshed,” he said.
The legislators representing Baringo County include William Kamket (Tiaty), Joseph Makilap (Baringo North), Charles Kamuren (Baringo South), Reuben Kiborek (Mogotio), Joshua Kandie (Baringo Central), Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine), and Woman Representative Florence Jematiah.
The renewed call for peace comes in the wake of a recent attack along the Marigat–Loruk road, where two traders were ambushed and killed while en route to Nginyang market. Mogotio MP Reuben Kiborek had earlier sought a statement from the Chair of the House Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding the incident.
According to Baringo County Police Commandant Julius Kiragu, the deceased was travelling in a lorry toward Chemolingot town when they were waylaid by armed bandits. In response, enraged locals staged protests along the Nakuru–Marigat highway, barricading the busy route with stones and lighting bonfires for several hours. It took the intervention of Kiragu and County Commissioner Steven Kutwa to clear the highway and restore order.
Residents and authorities now fear that the bandits have changed their tactics, shifting from traditional livestock raids to deadly highway robberies. This evolution in criminal strategy was highlighted by a series of recent attacks, including the ambush of a police-escorted bus on the Maralal–Baragoi road, which resulted in the deaths of two passengers and injuries to several others. In a separate incident, a prison officer was killed when bandits attacked a police vehicle transporting remandees to a mobile court, enabling the escape of eight suspects.
The violence is not confined to Baringo alone. In neighbouring Samburu County, six people were killed and eight others injured during a cattle raid in Kilepoi, Baragoi, last week.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has affirmed the government’s commitment to restoring security in the region. He revealed that specialized units, including the General Service Unit (GSU) and the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), have been deployed under Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift to quell the violence and recover illegal firearms.
“The government is committed to sustaining the success of Operation Maliza Uhalifu. We will stop at nothing until all illegal firearms are seized,” Murkomen declared.
The operation, launched early last year, targeted six counties, Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia, and Samburu, previously declared “disturbed” and “dangerous” due to rampant banditry. According to the Ministry of Interior, the security campaign has achieved a 62% reduction in cattle rustling, with reported cases dropping significantly.
Nevertheless, the recent resurgence in attacks has reignited fears among locals and leaders alike, underscoring the urgent need for sustained peace-building efforts, particularly at the community level.
