Leaders fault State over insecurity in North Rift

ITEN: The Government has been put on the spot for allegedly failing to address security challenges in parts of North Rift as resolved a fortnight ago during a State House security meeting.

Speaking at a peace rally at Kagir Primary school in Baringo County, political leaders said the Government had promised to deploy more security officers in the affected areas, reopen schools, repair vandalised boreholes and facilitate the return of hundreds of people evicted by armed cattle rustlers over the years.

"President Uhuru Kenyatta promised to play his role parallel to what we are doing as leaders. The peace caravan ends on Wednesday but security officers continue with their meaningless road patrols, schools remain closed and criminals commit murder at will," said Turkana South MP James Lomenen.

Wednesday morning, local leaders addressed a rally at Akwichatis village in Tiaty before visiting several vandalised community projects.

In the evening, the peace caravan was at Loitip in Baringo South and later concluded it mission in Samburu County.

The leaders have addressed similar rallies in West Pokot and Turkana counties in the last two weeks.

Peace agreement

According to a peace agreement signed on May 14 by leaders from Baringo, Samburu, West Pokot and Samburu counties, the Government was to boost security operation in the region to restore peace.

But on Monday, armed Turkana raiders hit West Pokot and made away with an unknown number of sheep.

However, Turkana Senator John Munyes said the animals were recovered and urged the Government to ensure those responsible are pursued and punished.

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi said time was running out and urged the national government to boost security in the region and ensure victims of attacks are compensated.

Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto clashed with an MCA for suggesting that leaders inciting residents be prosecuted.

Barwessa MCA Joseph Makilap had claimed that a section of West Pokot leaders had played a role in the violence in Baringo.

Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Osman Warfa told Pokot elders and leaders to engage the youth in peaceful talks as he announced the recruitment of 375 national police reservists in Baringo South and Baringo North sub-counties.

Among those present were governors Josphat Nanok (Turkana), Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo) and Simon Kachapin (West Pokot) and West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo.

Others were MPs Asman Kamama (Tiaty), Grace Kipchoim (Baringo South), Grace Kiptui (Baringo) and Nixon Ngikor (Turkana East).