Consolata Jebiwot and Martha Jeruto, the two sisters who are the latest victims of runaway bandit attacks in the Kerio Valley have been laid to rest.
The two aged 16 and 18 were killed on January 1, 2023, in an attack at Ketut village, Endo Ward, Elgeyo Marakwet County. The attackers also made away with dozens of livestock.
One of them was a class 7 pupil while the other was in secondary school.
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich was among hundreds of mourners that attended their final send-off on January 11, 2023.
Sharing photos of the burial event, Rotich lamented that bandit attacks had derailed development in the region.
“Banditry activities along the Kerio Valley has not only led to loss of innocent lives but have also derailed the economy of the region,” said the county boss.
Do more to curb banditry
He however welcomed a decision by the government to re-deploy National Police Reservists (NPRs) in areas facing insecurity issues.
But according to the governor, more need to be done to end the vice.
“I want to applaud the government for accepting our request to reinstate National Police Reservists (NPR) and enlist 150 more officers totalling to 450. However, more efforts needs to be done to permanently end this menace to avert more senseless killings and restore order,” Rotich said.
Further, the youthful governor said the National Government should be ruthless and show no remorse in dealing with the bandits.
He also called for a permanent, compulsory and brutal disarmament that he believes will remove all weapons that are in the wrong hands and use of technology.
For years, the Kerio Valley has faced insecurity that is believed to stem from outdated cattle rustling. The practice is however claimed to have been taken over by unscrupulous livestock traders.
