Two people were tragically killed and two others injured in a gun attack by suspected bandits in Baringo County on Monday. The incident occurred along the Marigat-Loruk road, a route that has recently become notorious for insecurity, with the attackers now reportedly morphing into highway robbers.
The victims, traders on their way to Nginyang market, were traveling in a police convoy when the ambush took place. According to reports, the assailants opened fire at two lorries, which were part of the convoy, targeting the vehicles as they made their way through the dangerous stretch of road. In a desperate bid to escape, the driver of one of the lorries attempted to flee on foot but was met with a barrage of bullets from the bandits. He was killed instantly, while the second victim succumbed to gunshot injuries later in the hospital.
The Marigat-Loruk road, long known for its treacherous conditions, has witnessed escalating insecurity over recent months. The government has been forced to provide police escorts for vehicles plying the route, but the banditry continues unabated. Locals in the region have voiced growing concern over the persistent insecurity, noting that the attacks seem to be becoming more organized and brazen.
Following the killings, tension has risen in the area, with local residents fearing further attacks. Police have since been deployed to the region in an attempt to stabilize the situation and curb the growing threat from the bandits. Despite these efforts, locals are calling for more comprehensive measures to ensure their safety, with many questioning the effectiveness of the ongoing security interventions.
The bodies of the two victims were taken to the Baringo County Hospital mortuary as investigations into the ambush continue. Meanwhile, residents are left grappling with a heightened sense of fear as they face the growing menace of banditry in the region.
