By VITALIS KIMUTAI and LONAH KIBET
The Government has been asked to recruit Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) and post them along the scene of bloody cattle rustling incidences in Baringo County.
Constitutional Affairs Assistant Minister William Cheptumo said KPR would supplement the work of the Provincial Administration and Regular police officers deployed to the area and who have been overwhelmed by rising cases of attacks by bandits.
Seven people have been killed in the last one week following repeated attacks by armed Pokot raiders who also stole hundreds of livestock, leading to displacement of almost 10,000 residents and closure of 15 schools.
“Despite police camps having been established in Chemoe, Yatya, Kapturo and Chepkesim along the border of the two areas, the security officers have no vehicles which they would use in tracking down the raiders,” said Cheptumo.
The local security officers, he said, had no adequate equipment and means to curb cattle rustling incidences in the region as the government had not allocated local police stations and patrol bases.
The affected families faced with starvation are camping at Rondinin, Bartabwa, Sibilo, Kipsaraman, Kipcherere, Koroto and Barbachun
The displaced families are living in makeshift structures are in dire need of relief food and medical supplies.
Schools that have been closed Chemoe, Yatya, Kapturo, Boruyo,Rondinin,Tuluk,Chepkesin,Sbiolo,Loruk,Kagir and Kalabata while teachers and pupils in schools that are still operational are living in fear of attack.
The most affected divisions are Bartabwa, Kipsaraman and Kabartonjo. Residents have sustained serious injuries and lost property worth millions of shillings.
“It is sad that in the last 35 years, hundreds of people have been killed, maimed, wounded, displaced and reduced to refugees in their own land when the constitution guarantees security for all and right to own property,” Cheptumo said.
Rift Valley Provincial Commissioner Mohamed Warfa’s assurance that the government would crack down on raiders in the area has failed to deter the attackers.
During a meeting with leaders from the region in Nakuru last week, Warfa said the perennial attacks should come to an end and urged the clergy, opinion leaders and elders to hold peace meetings with provincial administrators in the trouble spots.
Disarmament exercise conducted by soldiers and police officers in the region has failed to mob up illegal arms in the hands of the residents over the years.
Rearing of livestock is the main economic activity among the residents of Kerio Valley inhabitted by the Pokot, Tugen, Marakwet and Keiyo communities in the three Counties of Elgeyo Marakwet,Baringo,Turkana and West Pokot.
