Tensions high in Kerio Valley as bandits kill 2 school boys, uncle

Another episode of deadly gunfights in Kerio Valley has left four people dead including two brothers who were primary school learners and their paternal uncle dead.

Residents of the troubled region reported that the attack has sparked tension, as brazen gun battles resurface after weeks of calm.

Security officials described the Monday afternoon bloodshed in Marakwet East as a retaliatory fight.

In the aftermath, two Kimongo Primary school boys, Dennis Kiptoo in Grade Six and his younger brother Abel Kipkorir (Grade Five) were shot dead while bathing at River Embobut in Endo, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Authorities reported that the two learners were among several boys bathing in the river when armed bandits, suspected to be from the neighbouring Tiaty area in Baringo County ambushed them.

The assailants first started by shooting dead Joseph Kakugo, 50, the uncle of the two brothers before driving away an unknown number of cows before aiming the guns on the children who were bathing a few meters away.

Yesterday, Kimongo Primary School learners were in panic following the brutal attack that claimed the lives of two of their classmates.

The school’s head teacher, Joseph Kipkore, said the slain boys were preparing to return to school after their mid-term break.

Kipkore noted that the Grade Six boy, a budding athletics talent, was set to represent the school in zonal games this Friday.

“The Grade Six boy was a sprinter. Last Tuesday was the final time I saw him as he represented the school in the 200m, relays, and field events during the zonal cluster games. He was preparing to compete again at the zonal level this Friday. Unfortunately, we have lost him to attackers who show no mercy on young school-going children,” the head teacher told The Standard over the phone.

He added, “This morning (Tuesday), the students were deeply saddened. As teachers, we are doing our best to console them. They needed reassurance that things will be okay. There was a profound sense of loss, especially knowing the boy who hoped to bring glory in Friday’s competition is no longer with us.”

Kipkore thanked teachers and parents for supporting the learners, who returned after the half-term break to shocking news.

He said teachers will continue counseling the survivors of the Monday afternoon attack.

Locals reported that the fighting began earlier, around 11 am, after herders from Marakwet East clashed with their counterparts from Tiaty at a grazing field along the Kerio River, which serves as the border between Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties.

According to locals, a clash between herders resulted in the death of one man from Tiaty triggering a retaliatory attack in the afternoon.

Elgeyo Marakwet Police Commander Peter Mulinge declined to comment on the attack, but a confirmation report issued by the National Police Service said Kenya Defence Forces , Anti-Stock Theft Unit, General Service Unit and National Police Reservists were involved in an operation to track the attackers and recover stolen livestock.

Governor Wisley Rotich said the Monday killings reversed gains made in restoring lasting peace in Kerio Valley. “Those criminals want everyone to give up on this war, but we are not stopping until we have children and women live in a safe space,” he said.