BARINGO, Kenya – A chief in Chipilat, Tiaty Constituency, Baringo County, was shot dead on Thursday evening while leading an operation to recover stolen livestock.
The attack, carried out by suspected bandits, underscores the persistent challenges in addressing insecurity in Kenya’s North Rift region.
The administrator was ambushed while pursuing livestock stolen during a raid in the Ngaratuko area.
His body was discovered on Friday morning and moved to a local mortuary, marking the second killing in the area in just one week.
Witnesses reported that the attackers fled with an unknown number of animals.
Baringo County Police Commander Julius Kiragu confirmed the incident, stating that additional personnel, including special forces, had been deployed to pursue the gunmen.
“We have mobilized multi-agency teams to ensure the culprits are brought to justice. This is a clear attempt by the bandits to disrupt ongoing security efforts in the region,” Kiragu said.
The attack comes amid ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift, a government-led security initiative launched in February 2023 to combat banditry, cattle rustling, and violence in nine counties, including Baringo.
The operation, which involves a coordinated effort between the National Police Service (NPS) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), has achieved notable successes, but the latest attack highlights the resilience of criminal gangs in the region.
According to the Ministry of Interior, the operation has led to a significant reduction in banditry cases.
Over the past year, incidents of cattle rustling have dropped by 62%, with stolen livestock decreasing from 63,054 to 23,668.
Additionally, security forces have recovered 172 illegal firearms and 10,173 livestock, while 250 suspects—including 14 political leaders—have been arrested and prosecuted.
Despite these achievements, sporadic attacks continue to disrupt peace in the region.
Baringo County remains one of the areas designated as “Disturbed and Dangerous,” where insecurity poses a threat to both lives and livelihoods.
In response to the latest attack, police headquarters announced plans to intensify security operations in the region.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety of residents and eradicating the banditry menace. Additional resources and personnel will be deployed to neutralize these criminal elements,” the statement read.
While Operation Maliza Uhalifu has been praised for its effectiveness in curbing violence, local leaders and residents say more needs to be done to ensure lasting peace.
The gangs behind these attacks often operate in remote areas, exploiting challenging terrain to evade security forces.
The killing of the chief, a key figure in local governance and security coordination, is a grim reminder of the dangers faced by administrators and security personnel working to restore peace.
It also highlights the urgency of strengthening security mechanisms in banditry-prone regions.
