The Government has deployed over 400 police officers and two armoured personnel carriers to Kerio Valley.
They are expected to help in livestock recovery and quell cattle rustling between the Pokot and Marakwet communities. Some 20 people have been killed and more than 1,000 livestock stolen in the past six months.
The deployment follows a crisis meeting attended by Deputy President William Ruto, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet and some Marakwet and Pokot leaders in Nairobi on Monday. During the meeting, it was resolved that security be beefed up in the volatile region.
Endo MCA Festus Kirop blamed leaders for doing little to alleviate underdevelopment in the neighbouring constituencies, which had led to a scramble for limited resources.
"We are wondering why the Government has delayed in arresting the situation despite many peace meetings attended by high-ranking Government officials and several resolutions calling for an end to the hostility," he said.
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And the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has promised to within three months release a preliminary report on human rights violation in cattle rustling prone areas in the North Rift region.
The commission has been investigating human rights violations in the region. KNHCR Commissioner Shatikha Chivusia said: "Last month we collected views from the public from all affected regions and now we are collecting views from the duty bearers before compiling our final report."
Speaking in Kapenguria after a meeting with West Pokot MCAs, Ms Chivusia said the commission would visit projects that had stalled.
"Most projects in the region have stalled because of insecurity and we shall be able to visit the sites so that we can include possible recommendations in our report," she said.
After the meeting with MCAs, the commission headed to Moi Masol Primary School along the Turkana-Pokot border, which had remained closed for over 20 years because of cattle rustling.
A trip by Deputy Inspector General of Police Joel Kitili together with Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, MPs David Bowen (Marakwet East), William Kisang (Marakwet West) and Phillip Rotino (Sigor) aborted on Tuesday due to bad weather.
"The weather was very poor, thus forcing us to abandon the mission. Another meeting is planned before the end of the week," said Mr Murkomen.
