"I escaped death by a whisker in banditry attack," Baringo county Governor Benjamin Cheboi recounts as he welcomes the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) operation.
He slammed his Bomet counterpart Isaac Ruto's utterance on Friday opposing the forceful disarmament on the bandits in the North rift region.
"I hear some of my colleagues like Mr Rutto opposing the presidential directive to disarmed the bandit, May he come and attest himself how cruel and unfriendly the bandits area, before letting go reckless [such] utterance," said Cheboi.
He described the bandits as heartless murderous who don't care about the life of any person regardless of age, gender or occupation.
He said he escaped the jaws of death narrowly after his convoy was sprayed with bullets while heading to console the victims of the banditry attack at Mukutani, Baringo South on Wednesdays.
The Governor's convoy was accompanying the Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Wanyama Musiambo when the attack occurred.
During an exclusive interview with the Star in his home in Kabarnet town on Sunday, Cheboi lauded President Uhuru Kenyatta for minding the lives of innocent Kenyans by deploying the KDF to carryout massive disarmament operation and arrest the criminals, in Baringo, Laikipia, Turkana, Samburu, West Pokot and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties.
He added that during their stay the KDF officers should also help improve the dilapidated infrastructure like roads, water sources, health facilities and schools.
"This will help reclaim back peace, sanity and the previous integrity of the North rift region," said Cheboi adding the region was a leading hub for tourism attraction and Agriculture in Kenya, before the bandits ripped the people of their joy.
The bandits reportedly started shooting at the convoy from both directions but luckily the governor with his team managed to maneuver out of the crossfire unhurt, before boarding a chopper.
Reports indicate that the governor had been forewarned against visiting the volatile region amid the intercommunity conflicts between the Njemps and Pokot pastoral communities.
The incident occurred barely a day after Musiambo released a press statement in Kabarnet town on Monday saying calm and sanity has been restored in the area, and that people can go back to their homes and resume with their normal lives.
Eleven people including seven women and four children were massacred during the Full Gospel Church attack that lasted close to five hours.
More than 800 displaced residents including school children were currently camping at Eldume AIC church waiting for unpredictable aide from the government, donors and well- wishers. They require foodstuff, tents, clothes and water.
- The Star
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