In the most recent round of bandit assaults, armed bandits raided the GSU camp in Kapindasum Village, Baringo County, and besieged both the camp and the adjoining Kapindasum Primary School for hours. The community was left in a state of panic as a result, with students crawling on the ground in fear for their lives while hours of gunfire filled the atmosphere.
The shootout, which lasted more than seven hours and paralyzed all activity in the area, started when armed bandits assaulted GSU officers during a routine patrol, according to witnesses. Why the multiagency operation teams that had previously been dispatched and established in the county did not provide any assistance or reinforcement to the officers from the besieged GSU camp remains an unanswered question.
Police Chief Mr. David confirmed the event, saying that the bandits ambushed the officers at the camp, taking them by surprise by arriving in shifts. The last time bandits opened fire on students at Kapindasum Primary School while they were leaving for lunch was just over a month ago. The school was forced to close in 2019 owing to frequent bandit attacks in the area, but it reopened this year. Despite Interior CS Prof. Kithure Kindiki’s repeated claims to win the war, bandit attacks in the unrest-plagued Baringo North and South sub-counties have hindered the government’s efforts to eradicate the banditry menace in the region. There are concerns that many candidates may miss their next national examinations due to the attacks, which has put them in jeopardy.
On the next day
Local officials, including Senator William Cheptumo, County Woman Representative Florence Jematia, and Baringo South MP Charles Kamuren, denounced the incident and asked that the security apparatus look into two private helicopters: one, blue and white, was suspected of providing bandits with ammunition, but the next day, the daring bandits struck again in Baringo and engaged the GSU in another gunfire. This time, the robbers shot the herders as they attempted to take their sheep. Kiserian Primary School was shut down on this particular day, sending students and staff running for cover while some locked themselves in classrooms.
Bandit attacks on GSU (General Service Unit) camps in Baringo, such as the recent incident in Kapindasum, can be attributed to a combination of socio-economic, political, and security-related factors. Understanding these factors can provide insight into why these attacks occur and how they can be addressed.
1. Socio-economic Factors:
Marginalization: Baringo County, like many other regions in Kenya, has experienced marginalization in terms of development, infrastructure, and access to basic services such as healthcare and education. This marginalization contributes to feelings of neglect and resentment among the local population, creating fertile ground for recruitment by criminal elements.
Unemployment: High levels of unemployment, particularly among the youth, create a pool of disaffected individuals who may be susceptible to recruitment by criminal gangs. Without legitimate economic opportunities, some may turn to banditry as a means of survival or as a way to exert power and control.
Livestock Theft: Baringo County is predominantly rural, with a significant population engaged in pastoralism. Livestock theft, often perpetrated by well-organized criminal networks, is a pervasive problem in the region. Bandits may target GSU camps to acquire weapons or to retaliate against law enforcement efforts aimed at curbing their activities.
2. Political Factors:
Ethnic Tensions: Baringo County is home to several ethnic communities, including the Pokot, Tugen, and Ilchamus. Historical and contemporary tensions between these communities over access to land, water resources, and political representation have sometimes escalated into violence. Bandit attacks on GSU camps may be linked to inter-communal conflicts, with criminal elements taking advantage of existing grievances to further their own agendas.
Politically Motivated Violence: In some cases, bandit attacks on security forces may be politically motivated, aimed at undermining the authority of the government or particular political leaders. Politicians may exploit ethnic tensions and grievances for their own gain, exacerbating insecurity and instability in the region.
3. Security-related Factors:
Weak Law Enforcement: Baringo County, like other parts of Kenya, has faced challenges related to weak law enforcement, corruption, and inadequate resources for security agencies. GSU camps may be targeted because they represent symbols of state authority, and attacking them can undermine confidence in the government's ability to provide security.
Arms Proliferation: The proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the region exacerbates insecurity and facilitates banditry. Criminal networks involved in activities such as cattle rustling often have access to sophisticated weaponry, making them a formidable threat to both civilians and security forces.
4. Environmental Factors:
Drought and Resource Scarcity: Baringo County is prone to recurrent droughts and environmental degradation, which exacerbate competition for scarce resources such as water and pastureland. In times of drought, conflicts over resources can escalate, leading to increased banditry and violence.
5. Historical Factors:
Legacy of Past Conflicts: Baringo County has a history of conflict, including colonial-era skirmishes and more recent episodes of inter-communal violence. These historical grievances and unresolved tensions can fuel present-day insecurity and provide a fertile breeding ground for criminal activities.
Addressing the Issue:
Addressing the root causes of banditry and insecurity in Baringo County requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses socio-economic inequalities, strengthens law enforcement capacity, promotes inter-communal dialogue and reconciliation, and tackles the underlying issues of marginalization and resource scarcity. Investments in education, job creation, infrastructure development, and conflict resolution mechanisms are essential for long-term peace and stability in the region. Additionally, efforts to improve governance, transparency, and accountability can help rebuild trust between communities and the state, reducing the appeal of criminality and violence.