Governor Nanok blames banditry attack on politics; seven people were burnt beyond recognition

Turkana County Governor Josphat Nanok has blamed security agencies after a Sunday night banditry attack left seven people dead and a minor abducted in Napeitom village.

In a statement on Monday evening, Governor Nanok accused Police Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai and Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i of laxity and failing to protect residents and their property across the county.

"Security agencies based in Napeitom were not present and only arrived at the scene more than ten hours later after the damage had been done despite being strategically stationed in Kapedo, Lomelo and Lokari," Nanok claimed, adding "To end this vicious cycle of violence, those responsible for the attack must be brought to book and face the consequences of their crimes."

In the attack suspected to have been carried out by bandits from the neighbouring Tiaty Constituency in Baringo County, three adults and four school-going children were burnt to death while two others are nursing severe burn injuries.

The rest of the distraught residents have since fled the area and found refuge in Lokori area, Turkana East sub-County, 35 kilometres away.

Governor Nanok reads malice 

The county boss now reads malice in the whole attack, claiming that it is a ploy by politicians to disrupt elections and use it as leverage while campaigning.

"We believe that the attack was not a coincidence but a well-orchestrated move to disrupt elections and undermine the participation of the electorates in the elections and at the same time, act as a tool for the politicians to mobilise support by whipping the emotions of the residents," Nanok says.