Tension is escalating in Songok village, Korpu location, North Pokot, along the border of West Pokot and Turkana counties, after a suspected bandit attack on Friday evening.
The ambush, which occurred around 5 p.m., saw the assailants drive away an unknown number of livestock before targeting Namuke Lopetangile, a National Police Reservist (NPR). Lopetangile, who was tending to his animals, narrowly escaped the attack.
The bandits stole livestock belonging to several residents, including Lopetangile and four widows: Cheposekek Namwara, Chemkany Namwara, Chepokanna Namwara, and Cheplok Namwara. The widows are the family of the late Namwara Lorumumo, who was killed in a previous bandit attack.
Confirming the incident, Ombolion Chief Joseph Korkimul revealed that the attackers exploited Lopetangile’s vulnerability, as he is living with a disability caused by gunshot wounds sustained in a previous attack.
“This village has become a war zone,” lamented Chief Korkimul. “I’ve repeatedly urged the government to adopt modern strategies to combat banditry and deploy more police reservists to enhance security. These measures would deter bandits and restore peace. We cannot keep losing lives and livestock. Four months ago, bandits killed my relative, an NPR, and the government has done nothing for his family or to bring the culprits to justice. I’m still mourning.”
The chief added that Songok, Takaywa, and Kases villages have been battlegrounds for months, making them unsafe for human settlement.
This attack is part of a troubling pattern of insecurity in the region. Last month, bandits from Lorogon village raided Lonyangalem Primary School, vandalized infrastructure, and stole furniture. The school, established in 2006, has struggled to operate consistently due to the area’s rampant insecurity.
In response, West Pokot County Commissioner Khalif Abdullahi stated that security forces have been mobilized to track the bandits and recover the stolen livestock.
During the recent Jamhuri Day celebrations, Governor Simon Kachapin asserted that West Pokot had been relatively secure, with minimal cases of insecurity. However, this latest attack contradicts those claims and highlights the urgent need for enhanced security measures in the region.
