Bandits Kill Two in Baringo as Highway Robberies Surge
Baringo County, Kenya
A deadly attack by suspected bandits on Monday has left two people dead and two others nursing serious injuries in Loberer, along the troubled Marigat-Loruk road. The victims were part of a police-escorted convoy en route to Nginyang market when they were ambushed in a brutal gun attack.
According to eyewitnesses and authorities, the attackers, believed to be part of an increasingly brazen group of highway bandits, opened fire on two lorries transporting traders. The ambush resulted in chaos as drivers attempted to flee, with tragic consequences.
Marigat-Loruk Route Now a Bandit Hotspot
One of the lorry drivers reportedly tried to escape on foot after witnessing the vehicle ahead come under fire. He was gunned down instantly. The second victim, critically wounded during the assault, succumbed to injuries later at Baringo County Hospital.
Police confirmed that the bandits indiscriminately sprayed bullets at the convoy, causing panic and death. The two surviving victims are currently undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds.
The incident has further intensified fear among residents and traders who rely on the Marigat-Loruk route—a road that has now gained notoriety as a perilous passage through bandit-prone territory. Although police have been providing regular escort for transporters, the Monday ambush has raised concerns over the effectiveness of current security measures.
Community on Edge as Authorities Boost Security
Following the attack, local tension has soared with community members calling for urgent government intervention. The increase in insecurity has not only disrupted livelihoods but also caused a chilling effect on trade and transportation within the region.
Security forces have since been deployed to the area in a bid to restore calm and hunt down the perpetrators. Authorities have promised a swift and thorough investigation into the attack, with efforts focused on dismantling criminal networks operating along the route.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to the Baringo County Hospital mortuary as police continue to patrol the area.
Rising Banditry in Baringo Demands Urgent Action
The latest killings underscore the growing threat of armed banditry in Baringo and neighboring counties, where what were once sporadic cattle rustling incidents have now evolved into full-blown highway heists. Residents are demanding not just more boots on the ground but also long-term solutions to the socio-economic conditions that fuel such violence.
As the nation mourns the loss of two more lives to unchecked insecurity, the question remains—how many more must fall before peace returns to Baringo?
