Bandits shot at the convoy of Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap, Baringo County Woman Representative Florence Jematia and Red Cross officials along Yatya -Chemoe Road on Saturday, March 16.

The leaders were distributing food to insecurity victims in Yatya, Chemoe and Chepkesin areas of Saimo Soi and Bartabwa Wards when their convoy was shot at by bandits as they approached Chemoe from Yatya. 

The MPs were forced to call for reinforcement from nearby police camps before proceeding to Chepkesin which is more volatile.

While addressing the media after the incident, Makilap said the government needs to be serious in the fight against banditry in the region, adding that more than 10,000 people have fled their homes after series of attacks. 

“Even when we were coming to Yatya, we faced some gunshots. Wengine tumepitia marisasi ndiyo tufike hapa. So nataka kuomba serikali ikaze nati,” Makilap said.

Jematia on her part said the locals have become helpless as the government has failed to protect them.

“It is so hard to be in a government that you want to defend while your people are actually suffering. We have become so helpless because we though that when we are in government, this problem will be solved. Now banditry is even bigger,” Jematia said.

She added: “Please, Mr President, I want you to take time and understand that bandits are gaining more resolve and strength every day. We have come across 10 IDP camps to reach here, and shamelessly this people even shot at the Red Cross team.”

15 people have been killed by bandits so far since January 2024.