Send the army to Turkana, appeals minister

An assistant minister has asked the government to deploy the army at the border of the Pokots and Turkanas to stop insecurity.

Mr Josphat Nanok, who is also the Turkana South MP, said heavily armed groups had invaded the area, terrorising locals and weakening the provincial administration. Common borders of Turkana, West Pokot and Baringo have become lawless jungles.

“Every month, 10 people are killed and livestock stolen by marauding bandits who operate with impunity,” the MP said as he equated the attacks to the terror unleashed by Al-Shabaab in North Eastern province and Somalia.

“If the State can unleash its might on militias in Somalia, why then is it failing to do the same on local militia?” asked Mr Nanok on Wednesday.

The killings continue despite the amassing of police in Kapedo, Lochuakula, Kainuk, Turkwel Gorge, Lorokon and Nakwamoru.

According to the assistant minister, the special duty personnel were ill-equipped to deter the bandits. “They have few vehicles, limited fuel supplies, erratic and unclear command structures,” he stated.

He said the District Security Team (the Provincial Administration and Police Division) was poorly-equipped, sharing one or two vehicles between senior officers and ground security. They often were unable to effectively respond when one or multiple incidents occur.

He warned that it was a matter of time before residents took up arms to protect themselves.