Residents of Baringo South are reeling after a strange and disturbing theft at a new mortuary facility, where unknown individuals broke in and made away with body trays and critical power cables.
The brazen incident, which occurred just days before the facility’s official opening, has rendered the only mortuary in the region completely inoperable.
The mortuary, intended to serve both Baringo South and neighboring Tiaty, was meant to bring much-needed dignity and convenience to grieving families.
Instead, it now stands as a grim reminder of rising vandalism and insecurity in the area.
“A Mortuary Theft? This Is Beyond Belief”
Local officials say the stolen equipment includes all the metal body trays used to store remains, as well as power cables essential for refrigeration and lighting.
The theft has indefinitely delayed the commissioning of the facility, which had been eagerly awaited by the community.
In the meantime, bereaved families are being forced to transport their deceased loved ones to distant towns such as Kabarnet, Eldama Ravine, or even Nakuru a process that adds both financial strain and emotional stress during already difficult times.
“The mortuary was meant to bring dignity and convenience to grieving families,” said a public health officer at Marigat Subcounty Hospital.
“But it has now become a symbol of how vulnerable public projects are to criminal exploitation.”
Scrap Metal Demand Fuelling Vandalism
Authorities and elders in the community have condemned the act, attributing the rise in such crimes to the growing demand for scrap metal in the region.
They claim idle and desperate youths are now targeting public infrastructure including hospitals and even mortuaries to scavenge for valuable materials.
Calls are growing louder for the government to ban or heavily regulate the scrap metal trade in the county to prevent further destruction of public property.
“This wasn’t just a theft it was an attack on community welfare and human dignity,” said one elder during a local leaders’ meeting.
“Stealing from a mortuary is beyond disrespectful; it’s inhumane.”
Widespread Sabotage Across the County
The mortuary incident is not isolated. In the same county, acts of vandalism have also crippled the Perkerra Irrigation Scheme, one of Kenya’s oldest and most vital agricultural programs.
Farmers have reported increasing theft of gate valves and water intake systems, which are essential for regulating irrigation.
With these parts missing, water now flows uncontrollably through the canals bypassing some farms and flooding others.
“The situation is becoming volatile,” said Daniel Waweru, Manager of the Perkerra Irrigation Board.
“These valves are essential for fair water distribution. Without them, some farms flood while others dry up, breeding resentment within the farming community.”
As crops wither and tensions rise, local leaders are warning that continued sabotage could lead to conflict among farmers, especially in areas where water resources are already scarce.
A Call for Action
With Baringo County facing a disturbing trend of criminal sabotage targeting essential services, pressure is mounting on law enforcement agencies to act swiftly.
Residents are calling for arrests, stronger community policing, and urgent policy interventions to curb the black market for stolen public infrastructure.
Until then, vital services from healthcare to agriculture remain vulnerable to what many now see as a deepening crisis of neglect, desperation, and lawlessness.
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