Kenya’s President William Ruto and his Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen have come under stinging criticism by residents in their Rift Valley backyard for “just roaming the country” as heavily armed bandits have a field day stealing their livestock, killing them and disrupting education in the expansive region.

President Ruto and Murkomen come from North Rift, a region that is occupied mainly by nomadic people – the Kalenjin Pokot and Turkana – whose economic mainstay is pastoralism. Local people now accuse the president and his minister of abandoning them as soon as they ascended to power after the 2022 General Election

On Tuesday, representatives of the banditry-prone Baringo North constituency appealed for humanitarian support after running out of basic supplies food and medicine due to insecurity. Some schools in the region, they said, have also been closed down because of the rise in insecurity.

Speaking to the media, the residents sent an SOS to both national and county governments, as well as well-wishers, to come to their aid with food and medicine and tents to shelter the displaced.

Led by Richard Chepchomei, an elder from Chemoe in Bartabwa Ward, thee representatives addressed the media in Kabarnet Town on Tuesday, during which they lamented about the severity of the situation in areas that border Tiaty constituency. The area, the said, had become dangerous following increased banditry, cattle rustling and serious mosquito infestation.

Chepchomei singled out Ngaratuko, Kagir, Chemoe and Yatia as the most seriously affected parts of North Rift and the situation is made worse by impassable roads during the long rans season. They said they cannot move freely unless accompanied by police vehicle.

Owing to insecurity and the torrential rains that are pounding the region currently, many people have been displaced and are in urgent need of food and shelter, besides the high risk of contracting water-borne diseases besides malaria.

“We are appealing to the national government, county government of Baringo and well-wishers to support us with relief food, medicine and tents for those without shelter,” the elder requested.

Chepchomei cautioned politicians against making inciting residents. He pointed out that politicians take advantage of their misery to settle scores, something he said aggravates their suffering.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Benson Kelio and Joshua Kibet