MP condemns Kimaiyo’s move to disarm police reservists

By Michael Wesonga

Turkana, Kenya: Turkana South MP James Lomenen has issued Inspector General David Kimaiyo with a Tuesday ultimatum to re-arm recently disarmed Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) lest they shutdown Tullow operations.

 Lomenen told Standard that the IG erred in disarming the 10 KPRs after an administration policeman was killed last week at Nakwomoru leaving the community vulnerable to vicious attacks from their Pokot neighbors.

 The MP accused Kimaiyo of acting arbitrarily by sidelining the local leadership that are well informed on all crucial matters affecting their community.

 “The inspector general must develop a holistic approach to matters security instead of focusing on petty matters untenable in resolving the overwhelming security scare in Turkana County,” he said.

 He challenged the IG to replace the over a thousand police officers that were guarding Tullow rigs in Turkana earning about 45, 000 monthly allowance beside their salary at the expense of safeguarding the locals.

 “The rest of the officers left to guard Turkanas are not more than 50; Kalapata location which has a population of more than 26, 000 people does not have a single police officer, the number in Kainuk does not exceed 20,” he complained.

He further condemned a contingent from the General Service Police Unit for killing one innocent civilian and wounding another on the 16^th of March simply because they were demonstrating to demand answers to a raid that had happened the previous day,” he said.

 The IG who toured the area on Friday threatened to arrest the MP if he continues to incite his residents.