This archive report was first published on 25 August 2019.
On the night of August 25, 2019, an enumerator was nearly attacked by a machete-wielding man in Siongiroi village, Chepalungu. The man, who claimed he was not interested in the exercise, was eventually subdued by police and taken into custody.
Chepalungu Sub-County Police Commander Nelson Masaai confirmed the incident, stating that the suspect would appear in court to answer charges of resisting the exercise.
Similar incidents were reported in other parts of Bomet, where residents have been resisting the census exercise. In one instance, a man in Kipsuter locked out enumerators, prompting officers to use force to access the homestead and ensure the residents were counted.
Despite these incidents, Bomet County Commissioner Geoffrey Omonding assured that the exercise had proceeded smoothly, with locals cooperating. However, police in Sotik have launched a manhunt for a man who resisted the listing exercise on Thursday, allegedly due to his son's failure to secure a slot as an enumerator.
Additionally, six bar owners in Bomet town were arrested for defying orders to close their business premises at 6 pm on Saturday.
