Traders in in insecurity-hit counties in North Rift are counting losses after the government has promised to contain armed conflicts that have claimed several lives and displaced hundreds of families due to the fear of bandit attacks.
Several traders in West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties have fled the area after renewed attacks that have claimed more than 10 lives in the last two weeks.
Some of the remaining businesses are recording low activity that has negatively impacted their income as bandit attacks and boundary disputes disrupt the socio-economic livelihoods of the residents.
Some traders in three counties have had to move to safer areas because of the insecurity of the Chesogon market.
There is high suspicion among the communities that have scared our potential customers. Some traders have had to scale down their operations due to fears of attacks, said Jackson Meriong, or at the Chesogon market.
The market located on the border of Elgeyo-Marakwet and West Pokot counties is still recovering from the effects of landslides that claimed 23 lives two years ago.
The region continues to experience retaliatory attacks as armed criminals acquire sophisticated guns that threaten to outsmart security personnel deployed to restore law and order.
After many families relocated to safer areas, the reopening of schools was disrupted by the renewed attacks.
Schools bordering conflict-ridden West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties and Baringo South and Baringo North counties, where hundreds of families have been displaced by the constant a cattle raids and boundary disputes.
Many schools may not be open due to the security situation. Peter Lochakapong, MP Sigor, said that security needs to be beefed up in learning institutions.
Administrators and security teams in the region admit that criminals believed to be behind the attacks are still on the run, a clear indication of the possibility of further assaults.
He said security patrols have been strengthened to deal with any acts of lawlessness that has claimed over 30 lives in the past three months.
Although the region is experiencing relative peace, retaliatory attacks can't be ruled out, said Dr Omar.
He said a major road is being built along the Kerio belt to act as a buffer zone between the warring Marakwet and Pokot communities.
The process to establish an office for a special Deputy County Commissioner to coordinate crack-down on criminals in the affected counties is ongoing, and a Rapid Deployment Unit has been set up, according to Dr Omar.