Pokot leaders snub Ruto’s function to protest KDF operation

Pokot leaders snubbed a peace meeting attended by Deputy President William Ruto in West Pokot County yesterday  in protest over the on going military operation in Kapedo.

The political leaders boycotted the peace race event organised by Tecla Lorupe’s Peace Foundation (TLPF) at Makutano stadium in Kapenguria yesterday. Emotions were high with heavy presence of police as some residents waved placards protesting the Government’s move to deploy the military to flush out criminals in the conflict-prone pastoral counties.

Earlier in the day, security personnel rounded up some of the placard waving protestors after they loudly protested and accused the Government of abusing human rights. The group entered the stadium and advanced towards the dais when the police, led by OCPD Ruku Macharia, intervened, seized the placards and arrested five of the protestors.

Some of the placards read, “We hate you Ruto and your Jubilee Government. Why is the Government terrorising and killing innocent people? We want security operation stopped”.

Those arrested were bundled into a police vehicle and driven to Kapenguria police station, sparking protests from residents.

Ruto landed in a military chopper at Bendera estate in Kapenguria before proceeding to Makutano stadium where he was welcomed by Senator John Lonyangapuo, the only Pokot leader present.

A tense mood filled the air as residents waited in eagerness to hear the Government’s stand over the ongoing military operations on the border with Turkana and Baringo.

Leaders from the county have expressed displeasure with the Government’s decision to deploy military officers along the border following the killing of 21 police officers last weekend.

Lasting peace

The leaders have lamented that innocent residents have been brutalised, saying the Government has alternative mechanisms to foster peace and bring a lasting solution to the perennial challenges afflicting the North Rift Region.

West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin, MPs Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria), David Pkossing (Pokot South), Philip Rotino (Sigor) and Mark Lomunokol (Kacheliba), Women Representative Reginah Nyeris and nearly all members of the county assembly did not attend this year’s edition of the annual peace race.

However, this did not deter the DP from delivering a stern warning to criminals, saying the Government will not relent its fight on banditry. “Those who killed the officers and took away guns have no place in Kenya and there is no way we will keep quiet when innocent lives are lost to criminals,” the Deputy President said.

The DP asked the Pokot community to help the Government arrest the police killers. “We are determined to ensure there is peace in the region. There is no option to violence, conflict and death because we will stand firm on the security of the country,” Ruto said.

He said he was not bothered by the absence of local leaders, arguing that the Government will not relent its efforts to stop practices that destabilise the country. “Some people were telling me not to attend the event because the community is not happy with me. Our position is that this senseless killing of people must stop,” Ruto said.

He challenged leaders from the warring communities to commit themselves to promoting peace and enhance development in the affected counties. Ruto said the Government had lined up various projects that will help curb perennial conflicts in the North Rift, including irrigation and opening up of road networks as some of the interventions.

Commission of inquiry

Lonyangapuo said Pokot leaders who skipped the function were aggrieved over the military operation that has led to loss of innocent lives. The Senator said the absent leaders were not happy with the Government’s decision to deploy KDF at Tiaty Constituency.

Lonyangapuo called for thorough investigations into the police killings, saying that since independence, members of the Pokot community had never attacked police officers. He decried that innocent citizens were also bearing brunt of the military operation.

The senator asked the Government to constitute a commission to probe the challenges that have afflicted the region for a long time.

National Cohesion and Integration Commission Chairman Francis Ole Kaparo, who also attended the event, asked leaders to stop blame games and instead foster peace among communities they lead.