Baringo IDPs Back Home After 20 Years of Fleeing Deadly Gushots

By Joseph Kangogo

For two decades since 2025 volatile Mukutani in Baringo South was totally rendered no-man's land or rather no-go-zone due to deadly banditry attacks.

Over 500 households from Ilchamus, Pokot and Tugen community were then attacked, rendered homeless and displaced after ruthless heavily armed bandits-cum herders who raided and took over the expansive area.

20 years later, the victims happily returned back home on April 8, 2025, now living at Muruai Olkidemi Internally Displaced Persons(IDP) refugees camp in Makutani.

Hundreds of bandit attack returnees of Mukutani, Baringo lineup to receive food and non-food donations from state and well-wishers. /Joseph Kangogo

The camp shelters verious communities majority being Ilchamus, Tugen and Pokot returning home from different regions. 

“Guns have suddely gone silent, we thank God we have peace now here in Makutani, people are happy to be back home.” a resident Wesley Leshian told Rural Times News.

Runaway insecurity was then speculated on boundary, political utterances, frequent livestock theft and grazing land disputes leading to perennial retaliatory attacks.

Recently President William Ruto unveiled Makutani Sub-county as new administrative unit alongside Baringo West, Tiaty East and Tiaty West complete with all government structures aimed at restoring peace and order in the one time war-torn region.

Like other regions, the newly created units now enjoy full government services with the help of Deputy County Commissioners (DCC), an Officer Commanding Station (OCS), and an Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) among other publif offices.

Mounted tents housing over 500 households, victims of banditry who finally returned back to their diserted Mukutani homes, Baringo South after 20 years. /Joseph Kangogo

For instance, police recruitment exercise and national holiday celebrations like Madaraka Day were held in these regions, first time since Kenya attained independence in 1963. 

The establishment however bolstered residents with optimism, thanks to President William Ruto-led Kenya Kwanza admistration.

The 521 households majority being women, children and elderly just landed back from Eldume in Marigat, Kiserian and Laikipia where they took refuge since 2005.

Local leaders led by Mukutani Ward Member of County Assembly(MCA) Paul Lolkisoi thanks the government for its bold step to move and resettle the affected locals.

"Our people have actually been on the run for the last 20 years, families have broken up and lost millions-worth properties" Lolkisoi said.

As the make-shift camp continues to house large number of families, "there is need for more food and essential supplies" he said.

“We will stay here for only one month or two, and then people will be disintegrated back to their original homes,” he stated.

He saie government and humaniterian agencies have provided the victims with essential amenities like tents, foodstuff, mattresses, blankets and clothes.

Boresha DT Sacco officials donating some assorted goods to Mukutani bandit attack returnees./Joseph Kangogo

“We are still appealing on other organizations to help the needy population,” Lolkisoi added. Faridah Haji, an official from Boresha DT Sacco while donating some assorted goods articulated joy felt by these communities. 

Stating; “it is wonderful to see once warring Ilchamus, Tugen and Pokot communities who could not see other eye to eye, coming together to receive foodstuff in one meeting,” She underscores the importance of peace, love and unity in their pathway toward recovery.

"This peaceful coexistence had not been witnessed before; for a long time, these communities had been embroiled in conflicts over scarce resources" Haji said.

Baringo South, plagued by drought and deemed unfavorable for sustainable living, has seen its residents struggle for survival.

During the donation, Haji futher urged the residents to embrace sustainable farming practices now that they have returned home, emphasizing that the return of peace signals a chance for renewal.

“We thank God for bringing you home. We believe you will settle down and live well and peacefully again,” she added.

This message of hope is vital for the returnees, who now face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives after years of displacement.

Baringo County Commi Steve Sangalo Kutwa the governemnt is optimistic to fully reopen severla schools in the area which have remained closed since 2005.

A girl preparing an evening meal inside a makeshift tent at Mukutani returnees camp in Baringo South. /Joseph Kangogo

Some schools like Rugus, Nosukuro and Ngalecha, Ramacha ECD, Karma ECD and Katilomwo ECD were affected. It resulted in a generation of children missing out basic education. 

"The government has since been proactive in seeking solutions to this conflict" Kutwa said.

Displaced communities of Baringo South are now on a journey to reclaim their ancestral lands after two decades of conflict and displacement.

The scars of this conflict run deep, affecting generations and creating a pervasive atmosphere of fear and instability.

Furthermore, with schools preparing to reopen, there is also an urgent demand for uniforms and school supplies.

“Students will require uniforms and food to help them study well,” Haji emphasized, highlighting the importance of supporting needy children to go to school.

Kenya National Union of Teachers(KNUT) Baringo branch Executive Secretary Bishop Joshua Cheptarus said teachers were much willing to go back and teach in their respective former stations, "but that is if the government improves security and assure peace in this region,” she added.

"Commitment is paramount to restoring peace and security for ensuring children and teachers ressume classes" Cheptarus said.

The Government has however reassured security with the presence of a high alert, fully equipped contingent of security personnel in the area ranging from a military camp, a General Service Unit(GSU), Rapid Deployment Unit(RDU), Anti-Stock Theft Unit(ASTU), Kenya Forest Service(KFS) unit and several National Police Reservists(NPR) from both communities.

Baringo County Police Commander Julius Kiragu however warns criminals attempting to stir instability among peaceful residents of Baringo that they will face full force of the law.

"Peace is not negotiable, therefore people must learn to live and coexist well with their neighbours to foster economic development" Kiragu said.

Sarubi Ambu, chairlady of Ilchamus Women Development Group(IWDG), welcomed the governement and wellwishers efforts saying it will go a long way to benefit the vulnerable individuals living in the camps inluding women, children and the elderly.

Despite the optimism surrounding government resettlement efforts, Baringo County has a long history of insecurity and ethnic conflict, primarily due to resource scarcity and inter-communal tensions.

The region has experienced frequent incidents of cattle rustling, killings, and displacement, which have stifled development and created an atmosphere of fear. In early 2024, security camps were opened some affected regions of the County to address the threats of banditry and cattle rustling.

However, according to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, such deployments are not enough to quell the existing conflicts. Wetangula recently addressed the longstanding issues of insecurity in the region, calling for a concerted effort among various stakeholders to tackle the teething challenge.

During discussions in the Bicameral House, he emphasized that solutions must involve direct engagement with community members, as reliance on police or military forces alone may not suffice.

Similarly, during a meeting with security officials in Loruk, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen highlighted the need to address conflicts arising from administrative boundaries.

He pointed to ongoing tensions in neighboring regions as contributing factors to the instability faced by the communities.

The Makutani area has seen its share of violence. In March 2021, a 65-year-old man, Gabriel Lekichep, was killed, and a woman and her child were injured in a banditry attack.

In 2014, seven people were killed, and four injured in a shoot-out in Baringo, including an incident in Mukutani where four people were killed when raiders attacked and several head of cattle stolen.

A family putting up in a rickety makeshift tent in Mukutani returnees camp, Baringo South. /Joseph Kangogo

In late 2024, the government announced the creation of a new sub-county for the Illchamus community called Mukutani, aimed at enhancing representation and improving access to state services. 

This political recognition is a vital step toward addressing historic grievances and empowering the community to advocate for their rights and needs.

The journey toward recovery for bandits attack communities in Baringo is fraught with challenges. Government, local leaders and partners now face daunting task of rebuilding their homes and lives after repeated cycles of violence and destruction.

Despite the uncertainties that lie ahead, there is a palpable sense of hope among the returnees.

The collective efforts of organizations like Red-Cross Kenya, Boresha DT Sacco, local leaders, and community members are crucial in ensuring these families rebuild their lives again and foster a lasting peace in the region.