- Two chiefs were killed in separate banditry attacks within two days.
- One chief was caught in a shootout between police and armed raiders.
- Another chief ambushed at home in broad daylight.
- Security forces launch crackdown as government issues a disarmament ultimatum.
The security crisis in Rift Valley has escalated after two chiefs were killed in separate banditry attacks within 48 hours, deepening fears over growing lawlessness in the region.
In Tiaty East, Baringo County, Victor Sebei, the assistant chief of Kong’asis Sub-Location, was fatally shot on Friday during a violent clash between security officers and armed bandits in the Chepilat area.
According to Baringo County Police Commander Julius Kiragu, the shootout erupted as officers pursued bandits who had raided Ng’aratuko village, stealing over 70 goats and sheep.
“The officers encountered the criminals at Chepilat, and an exchange of gunfire ensued. Sadly, the assistant chief was caught in the crossfire and lost his life,” said Kiragu, noting that it remains unclear why the administrator was at the scene since he was not part of the operation.
This incident comes just days after another fatal bandit attack in Ng’aratuko, where a man was shot and killed, underscoring the deteriorating security in the area. Since the beginning of the year, at least 10 people have been killed in bandit-related violence in Baringo alone.
Former Chief Gunned Down at Home
Barely a day later, on Saturday, Parara Lekiyierie, a former chief of Pura Sub-Location in Samburu Central, was brutally murdered after armed attackers stormed his home in broad daylight.
Confirming the killing, Samburu Central Deputy County Commissioner Titus Omanyi described it as a pure banditry incident, mourning the slain chief as a respected leader who worked tirelessly for peace.
“He was a well-known mediator and advocate for peace. His death is a tragic loss to the community,” said Omanyi.
Security forces, including police and National Police Reservists (NPR), have since launched a manhunt for the attackers, who are believed to be hiding in nearby caves.
Bandit Attacks on the Rise
These killings add to a spike in violence across the Rift Valley, with Samburu and Baringo among the hardest-hit counties.
Just last week: Six people were killed and eight others injured in a cattle raid in Kilepoi, Baragoi. Gunmen ambushed a police-escorted bus on the Maralal-Baragoi road, killing two passengers and injuring several others. A prison officer was shot dead while transporting remandees, leading to eight suspects escaping.
The violence has prompted the government to issue a 24-hour ultimatum for locals to surrender illegal firearms or face forceful disarmament.
“We are deploying a multi-agency team under the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) to hunt down these criminals,” said Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat while addressing residents in Tot, Marakwet East.
Additionally, Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Dr. Abdi Hassan revealed that authorities have already profiled illegal gunholders in Samburu, ahead of an impending crackdown.
For years, counties such as Samburu, Baringo, Turkana, and Laikipia have been trapped in cycles of violence fueled by cattle rustling, land disputes, and ethnic tensions.
Residents are now calling for urgent government intervention to restore order and end the bloodshed.
“We are tired of living in fear. People are being killed in their own homes. We need action, not empty promises,” said Philip Lengala, a resident of Samburu West.
With insecurity spiraling out of control, all eyes are on the government to decisively deal with the menace before more lives are lost
