Baringo South Mortuary Vandalized: Thieves Steal Body Trays and Power Cables, Delaying Opening
Residents of Baringo South, Kenya are grappling with disbelief after a shocking act of vandalism—thieves broke into the area’s only mortuary and stole body trays and crucial power cables. The mortuary, located near Marigat, was just days away from its official opening and was meant to serve both Tiaty and Baringo South sub-counties.
🏥 Facility Left Inoperable as Thieves Strike Before Launch
According to local authorities, the mortuary has been rendered inoperable, with key installations destroyed. This includes vital electric cables and stainless steel body trays, essential for storing deceased persons. The loss has delayed the mortuary’s commissioning indefinitely, forcing grieving families to seek services in distant towns such as Kabarnet, Eldama Ravine, and Nakuru.
“The mortuary was meant to bring dignity and convenience to grieving families,” said a public health officer from Marigat Subcounty Hospital. “But it has now become a symbol of how vulnerable public projects are to criminal exploitation.”
⚠️ Scrap Metal Theft Blamed for Increased Vandalism
Authorities and community elders have blamed the growing scrap metal trade in Baringo County for the rise in public infrastructure theft. They claim idle youth, driven by quick money, have resorted to vandalizing even sensitive facilities like mortuaries.
The community is now demanding urgent action to regulate or ban the scrap metal business in the region, citing increased cases of public utility vandalism.
🌾 Perkerra Irrigation Scheme Also Targeted by Thieves
This mortuary theft is not an isolated case. In a related development, the Perkerra Irrigation Scheme—a key agricultural project in Baringo—has been disrupted after criminals stole gate valves and water intake systems used for regulating irrigation water.
The result? Uncontrolled water flow through irrigation canals, causing flooded farms, dry plots, and rising tension among local farmers.
“These valves are essential for fair water distribution,” said Daniel Waweru, Manager at Perkerra Irrigation Board. “Without them, we’re risking conflict between farmers due to uneven water supply.”
📢 Community Calls for Government Intervention
The people of Baringo South are calling on the national and county governments to protect public investments and criminalize scrap metal theft. Community leaders are urging the Ministry of Interior and law enforcement agencies to increase surveillance and bring the culprits to justice.
