Banditry and cattle rustling in the North Rift counties are not a new phenomenon. 

The attacks staged by suspected bandits from neighbouring communities have left a trail of destruction, deaths, thousands of livestock stolen and displaced hundreds of families. 

In Samburu County, such attacks have left 200 people dead in less than a year, families displaced and hundreds of livestock stolen. 

The vice has left communities living in Porro, Lobongare, Losuk, Malaso, Suguta, and Angata Nanyokie in Samburu West constituency desperate.  

Their leaders are also in despair while the government talks tough with little results. This is the situation facing many residents of Samburu West constituency, victims of recent bandit attacks that have left over 72 people dead in just four months. 

In Angata Nanyokie ward, area MCA Paul Leshimpiro is the latest casualty. His death and that of three other people, including a two-year-old boy, who were shot by bandits at the weekend, has caused uproar among leaders and their electorate. 

On Monday, Maa leaders led by Governors Joseph Ole Lenku (Kajiado), Patrick Ole Ntutu (Narok) and Samburu’s Lati Lelelit led a protest in Maralal town.  

The leaders led more than 2,000 protestors to Samburu County Commissioner’s office, where they presented their grievances. 

As they presented their petition, the pain, feeling of numbness and despair were written all over their faces. By Michael Saitoti, The Standard