Baringo Senator Gideon Moi warns leaders against volatile words

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has urged leaders on the border of Tiaty and North Baringo to desist from making remarks that have the potential to divide communities that have co-existed for so long.

"We have reached a point where leaders must weigh what they say. Affected communities are bitter and as leaders, we must remedy the situation, not catalyse it for political mileage," said Gideon.

He reiterated the need for security officers implementing President Uhuru Kenyatta's disarmament directive to restrain themselves from harrassing innocent civilians. Speaking at a public rally at Kabartonjo Primary School grounds, Gideon said he supported the disarmament exercise and asked political leaders not to politicise the process by planting seeds of hatred among warring communities.

He said criminals found with handcuffs against the law should be dealt with mercilessly in order to realise lasting peace.

"But in the middle of all this, let no innocent woman or child be harassed or property destroyed or forcefully taken from law-abiding Kenyans. We expect to see criminals trailed, apprehended and punished," he said.

mob justice

Gideon, who was accompanied by two former MPs and four Baringo MCAs from the area, reminded Kabartonjo residents that the cattle rustling menace had taken root and could not be solved overnight.

The Senate's Energy committee chairman made it clear that he was aware of the problems Baringo residents faced at the hands of cattle raiders but said mob justice would never solve the problem.

"Those responsible for slaughtering our security forces, destroying property in Mukutani and stealing livestock from innocent residents are a few individuals. These are the culprits we want arrested and arraigned in court to face justice," he said.

Baringo Maendeleo ya Wanawake Chairperson Lucy Chepseba asked parents and elders from Tiaty to co-operate with the Government by volunteering information about those behind the raids. She also called for exposure of all people sponsoring cattle rustling.