A peace activist is using comedy to give solace and encouragement to children affected by banditry in the North Rift.

Vitalis Kiplagat, 23, who goes by the stage name ‘Senge Helena’ (Aunt Helena), is putting smiles on the faces of children traumatised by runaway insecurity that has claimed the lives of their playmates.

On a typical day, Kiplagat dresses up in female regalia, complete with appropriate headgear that resonating well with children.

During his sessions in the war-ravaged Kerio Valley, Kiplagat — who goes by the slogan ‘tos ma Jehovah man ooh?’ (Is it not because of God?), depicts a tough-talking Kalenjin aunt.

A great journey

“It has been a great journey for me. I’m happy that my mentorship is adding life to these children. Being Aunt Helena, they own me and get to hear what I have to tell them,” Kiplagat told ‘People Daily’ in an interview.

A recent performance at Tot Primary School, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, was a big attraction to students who recently lost three colleagues to armed bandits.

He took the children through song and dance, encouraging them to work hard despite the current challenges.

“I want presidents, lawyers, teachers among other professionals to come from you. Please work hard despite the challenges”, he implored.

Tragically, three Grade Three pupils — Gibson Kirop Maiyo, Shadrack Kiplimo Kiplagat and Brian Kiptoo — were shot dead by bandits recently as they were eating mangoes at lunch hour near their school.

Their deaths brought to 170 the number of people killed in the past nine months in the porous valley.

“Mine is just to offer them hope to overcome the trauma and shock of losing their counterparts,” said Kiplagat, who was born in Mateget in Nandi County.

But how was ‘Senge Helena’ conceived?

Kiplagat says he had done comedy for long but his breakthrough came upon realization that he could play the role of a woman.

“An aunt is your father’s sister — an aggressive and tough person,” he said.

“It’s good that my idea is resonating well. Apart from doing other things in life, this other me is great,” added the artist who has become a sensation on social media.

Cases of bandits targeting children have been on the rise in Kerio Valley.

In April, one person was shot dead after two buses carrying students were ambushed by armed criminals. 

Driver shot dead

The buses were carrying students of Tot and Mogil Secondary Schools and were attacked at Chesuman, near Arror in Elgeyo-Marakwet county.  One of the bus drivers was shot dead while six pupils and three teachers were wounded.

In January, bandits staged a daytime attack on St. Benedict Arror Girls in the same county.

A viral video showed students hiding under tables as gunshots rent the air. The marauding bandits then fled with livestock stolen from the nearby village.

The bandits also ambushed a boda boda rider and his passenger along Tot-Chesongoch Road, shot them and left them for dead before fleeing towards Tiaty in neighbouring Baringo county.

The government has since imposed a 30-day curfew and launched a massive disarmament operation in Kerio Valley and other parts of the North Rift.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi says the government will deal firmly with bandits  in Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot and Baringo counties – similar to the operation in Marsabit County. This has been cleared by the National Security Council he adds.