Disarmament kicks off to curb insecurity

By Rawlings Otieno

The operation to disarm Kenya Police Reservists following the Suguta valley massacre has started, a security personnel has said.

Rift-Valley Provincial Commissioner Osman Warfa said a contingent of police officers yesterday filled trucks and headed to Baragoi, about 114km from Maralal town.

“Although Kenya Police Reservist lost seven of their officers, the Government believes some of them are part of the banditry attacks,” he said.

The hardened team of military and police units are expected to comb Suguta valley searching for the heavily armed cattle rustlers believed to be hiding in the thick forest of Baragoi.

Maintain security

The police who arrived from Lodwar will join a contingent of Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) officers to help police in Baragoi maintain security in Suguta.

The bandits who have been camping at nearby valley, just a few miles from the scene of the massacre are now said to be moving with the animals, children and their belongings.

Security personnel led by Warfa, area PPO John M’mbijjiwe and military personnel John Warioba are laying the strategy to attack.

Warfa denied claims that the officers have been in Baragoi and were just being used to escort police trucks that have now increased in number.

“We are still having security meetings with the Rift-Valley PPO on the operations and once we are through, we will brief you adequately,” said Warfa when Standard team caught up with him at his offices.

Go-slow

He was reacting to claims that one week after the deployment of police officers in Baragoi to begin operations, junior police officers are now plotting a go-slow and wants the operations to be called off.

It is alleged that more than 100 police officers who are camping at Maralal Police station and Baragoi, have not had enough food, water and clothes for changing.

Some officers complained their issues are not adequately addressed, which they say may hamper their operations.

Some leaders in the North Rift are opposed to disarmament and want the State to initiate peace and reconciliation talks among the warring communities.