Baringo Speaker faces impeachment for incitement

A herd of cattle. As the government fights insecurity, it must not lose sight of other threats compromising the stability of our nation in equal measure. For instance, a new trend has emerged in Nyakach, Kisumu County — cattle rustling is fast taking root. FILE PHOTO |

What you need to know:

  • The Speaker allegedly said: “We don’t steal, we are restocking what belongs to us,” while referring to complaints of the Pokot community raiding other communities.
  • According to Mr Lekakimon, a day after the Speaker’s utterances, armed Pokot raiders invaded the Kiserian area and made away with livestock.

Baringo County Assembly Speaker William Kamket faces impeachment after a Member of the County Assembly issued a notice of motion to remove him from office over alleged incitement.

In the notice written to County Assembly Clerk Joseph Koech, Ilchamus ward representative Mr Wesley Lekakimon accuses Mr Kamket of making public utterances that he said had fuelled conflict between the Pokot and other communities in the county.

He cited utterances Mr Kamket made recently during the launch of Sh150 million initiative in Eldama-Ravine where the KCB Foundation has partnered with the county government to help livestock farmers in the county improve their breeds and boost food security in the area.

The Speaker allegedly said: “We don’t steal, we are restocking what belongs to us,” while referring to complaints of the Pokot community raiding other communities.

According to Mr Lekakimon, a day after the speaker’s utterances, armed Pokot raiders invaded the Kiserian area and made away with livestock.

'RECKLESS STATEMENTS'

“He is not fit to hold any public office. Following his reckless statements, property has been destroyed, people killed and schools closed.

“Even if we don’t get any support for his removal due to our small numbers in the assembly, we will have had our say,” said Mr Lekakimon, who is also the minority leader.

MCAs from the cattle rustling-prone areas of the county are accusing leaders from Tiaty Sub-county for doing nothing to end the bloody raids, which they said had encouraged Pokot morans to unleash terror on other communities.

“The Speaker is a senior holder of public office within (the) Baringo County government and is mandated to conduct himself with high standards and responsibility which he has failed to uphold.

“His utterances have significantly contributed to the breach of law and hence is liable for violation of his oath of office,” Mr Lekakimon’s letter says.

PEACE MEETING

He said that leaders were now living in fear after the armed raiders started targeting them, citing the June 22 incident in which armed raiders struck the home of Mukutani location chief Benjamin Lecher and shot him in the leg.

This came barely a day after Baringo County Governor Benjamin Cheboi convened a leaders’ crisis peace meeting at an Emining’ hotel in a bid to find a lasting solution to the cattle-rustling menace.

Mr Kamket has, however, since dismissed the incitement claims, saying that his utterances were taken out of context.

“My stand on matters of cattle rustling has always been very clear. I’ve always fought against this heinous crime of cattle theft. I’m sorry such an innocent statement can be taken out of context,” Mr Kamket said in his defence.

He said he was on record calling on the central government to declare the rustling menace a national disaster.

The Speaker said he had also suffered immensely from the problem, adding that he had lost nine relatives to armed bandits from a neighbouring community.