Teenage Girl Rescued After Three-Day Kidnapping in Baringo

A teenage girl kidnapped by suspected bandits from her home in Baringo North Sub-county has been rescued alive after three days in the hands of her captors.

The Grade 7 pupil, whose name is not revealed because she is a minor, was abducted on June 6 during a nighttime raid on her family’s home in Yatya Village. Her elder brother, also taken in the attack, managed to escape shortly afterwards, according to police.

Following an extensive search by security forces and local residents, the sister was found on June 8, more than 100 kilometres away in the remote Silale hills of Tiaty Central, and was safely reunited with her family.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, in a statement posted on his official X account, expressed relief at the outcome, saying, “I am pleased to report that a teenage girl kidnapped in Yatya has been found safe and is on her way to be reunited with her family.” He praised the security forces for their swift and effective response.

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The rescue operation, led by the National Police Service (NPS), involved navigating the rugged terrain of Tiaty Central, an area known for occasional banditry and intercommunal tensions.

Murkomen has vowed to track down the perpetrators and has directed the police to intensify efforts under Operation Maliza Uhalifu, the multi-county initiative targeting banditry in Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, and other northern regions, to end all pastoralist militia activity.

The Interior CS emphasised that those responsible would face justice, stating, “We will not rest until the culprits are apprehended.” He also directed local authorities in Baringo North and neighbouring Tiaty Central sub-counties, under the leadership of the County Commissioner, to hold a community meeting to address underlying security issues and identify such criminals to face the law.

In addition, he announced that all National Police Reservists would be vetted again amid allegations of collusion with bandits.

Concerning the rescued girl and her brother, Murkomen said the government has offered to move them to a boarding school outside Baringo North, where they can be safe and continue their education – if their family agrees.

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