Armed Bandits Storm Ole Kaparo's Home, Escape With 17 Camels
Kaparo's home was one of six others raided in the area in the last week, despite an ongoing joint Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and police operation.
Marvin Chege 
Armed bandits on Monday, April 3 raided the home of the former speaker of the National Assembly Francis Ole Kaparo, located next to a police station in Laikipia North.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, April 4, the former speaker revealed that a 58-year-old man was also attacked by a group of 20 men who fled with 17 camels.
Kaparo's home was one of six others raided in the area in the last week, despite an ongoing joint Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and police operation.
Soldiers overlooking a terrain. /FACEBOOK.MINISTRY OF INTERIOR
“That man did not commit any crime, he was just doing his job. All this is happening at a time when we are being told that there is an operation to end banditry in this area.
“We are all getting reports on TV and Radio but we have not seen any officers here. That man did not commit any crime, he was just doing his job,” Ole Kaparo stated.
The raiders were believed to have come from Samburu County and had collaborated with local informers prior to the attack.
Laikipia Deputy County Commissioner, Bernard Odino revealed that some 10 camels were recovered on Tuesday afternoon as they were being driven to Samburu East.
Ole Kaparo blamed the government for the increased attacks in the area, stating that the continuous threats from the Ministry of Interior were only emboldening the bandits to stage more daring raids.
“They have been enabled by empty threats of government and they will continue to attack and kill us.
“We want to ask the government that if you do not have any power or intention to deal with this issue, please stop threatening these bandits because they will continue killing us,” he explained.
Locals led by Wilfred Legei revealed that the attack on the former speaker's home was a red flag as it was located next to a police station within the town.
“If people can raid the home of this man which is right in the middle of town next to the police station, then surely there is no security in this area anymore,” Legei stated.
Although the National Government had promised to recruit 300 National Police Reserves (NPR) last year to be deployed along a 100km stretch on the common border of Laikipia, Isiolo, and Samburu counties, residents affected by insecurity say they are yet to see the fruits of the security operation and live in fear of banditry attacks.
Despite government promises to address the issue, security in parts of Laikipia North continues to be a problem despite KDF's presence and ongoing bombardments to contain the situation.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki had on Sunday, March 12 issued a vacation order to all civilians living in specific banditry-prone areas declared as scenes of crime.
The CS cautioned that anyone who would be found in those areas come Monday, March 13, 2023, would be treated as a bandit, or a suspect aiding and abetting banditry.
