Residents of Baringo County have raised concerns over rising tension in some parts of Baringo North and South over attacks being carried out by bandits in the area.
Addressing journalists on Thursday at the Nakuru Level Five Hospital where a middle-aged man is nursing serious injuries sustained from attacks carried out on Tuesday night, the residents expressed disappointment in the manner in which the government is handling the matter.
Led by Richard Cheptomei, the locals said they are now living in fear following the rampant attacks experienced in Chemoe Location in Baringo North.
They called on Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i to intervene in the matter and heighten security in the area.
“We want CS Matiang’i to move in and restore peace in this area,” said Cheptomei.
His sentiments were echoed by Mr Samson Koima who said it is disappointing that locals are living in fear yet the government of the day is silent on the matter.
He said the disarming of police reservists in some of the areas has contributed to the rising cases of insecurity, adding that the government should re-think the decision.
Koima faulted the security team in the area for not acting despite the locals raising alarm over the attacks.
"I wonder why the government is silent on this matter. When there were attacks in Matungu, we saw CS Matiang’i visit the area but he has not come here. Even the county commissioner is silent on the matter,” said Koima.
This comes barely three days after a section of Members of Parliament from Baringo criticised the government for withdrawing guns from police reservists in the county, arguing the move has led to increased insecurity.
The leaders led by Baringo South MP Charles Kamuren said residents are now leaving in fear, adding that the insecurity cases have led to the closure of schools.
The Kenya police reservists in the North Rift region were last week directed to surrender their guns for registration.