Bandits Strike Near Gen Ogolla Crash Site, Steal Livestock
On Friday, bold cattle thieves attacked Sowero village in Elgeyo Marakwet County, which is located just two kilometers from the site of a plane crash that killed senior military officers, including Chief of Defence Forces Gen Francis Ogolla.
A multi-agency team recovered 15 animals that had been taken by cattle thieves.
“Ironically, just a day after the accident that killed CDF Francis Ogolla and nine other military officers, some bandits have made a daring raid in my location at Sowero area, and stole 15 animals, a few kilometers from the crash scene,” said Kaben location chief Kiririon Tarus.
Mr. Tarus verified the occurrence, stating that the raid happened even though security personnel were present at the site of the plane crash.
“Thanks to swift moves by our security agencies who moved in swiftly and recovered the stolen cattle after repulsing the suspects,” said Mr Tarus.
The local administrator noted that the raid shows a need for increased efforts to eliminate banditry in the region.
Mr. Tarus encouraged residents to collaborate with security forces to eliminate the threat of banditry in the North Rift region.
“Time has come for locals to work together with all security agencies in this region to eliminate this menace of banditry and cattle rustling,” he added.
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisely Rotich criticized the event and urged the national government to use force against bandits.
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“Emboldened bandits could not allow us to mourn our soldiers. How daring are they that even before wreckages of reminiscence of the cruel death of our soldiers are yet to be cleared from the scene?” Asked Mr Rotich.
The area known as “Peace Field” where the military helicopter crashed is a forest that the communities from West and West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet aim to transform into farmland for growing crops as an alternative means of earning a living.
Gen Ogolla was in the area to assess the progress of military officers involved in ‘Operation Maliza Uhalifu’ in the region.
He visited several schools that the government had pledged to renovate and reopen for students.
Last year, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki pledged that the government would allocate Sh100 million to restore all schools in the region damaged by bandit attacks, allowing them to resume classes.
A few of the schools selected for renovation include Sibilo Secondary and Primary School, Koroto Secondary and Primary Schools, Biretwonin Primary School, Akorayan Primary School, Moinonin Primary School, Chepkwel Primary School, Kosile Primary School, and Ng’aratuko Primary School.
The list includes Kagir Primary School, Yatya Secondary School, Rondinin Primary School, Karimo Primary School, Sesianin Primary School, Kasepeiwa Primary School, Naipen Primary School, and Kibenos Primary School.
Bandits Strike Near Gen Ogolla Crash Site, Steal Livestock
