Isiolo County security team condemns call by Meru MPs to close roads over cattle raids
The Isiolo County security team, led by County Commissioner George Natembeya, on October 28, 2015 hands over to the Meru security team 18 cattle recovered at Kiwanjani after a recent cattle rustling incident. Mr Natembeya condemned a recent call by Meru MPs to residents to close roads leading to Isiolo. PHOTO | VIVIAN JEBET | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- NCIC had Monday issued a stern warning to politicians to desist from inciting the Meru and Borana communities.
- Mr Natembeya said the incitement by elected leaders was watering down efforts by security teams from the two counties to reconcile the warring communities.
- He was speaking during the handing over of 18 cattle recovered in Kiwanjani.
The Isiolo County security team has condemned remarks by some leaders from Meru who called for closure of all roads leading to the county.
The leaders led by Senator Kiraitu Murungi threatened to close the roads until the national government intervenes and ends insecurity along the Meru-Isiolo border.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) had Monday issued a stern warning to politicians to desist from inciting the Meru and Borana communities.
Over the past two weeks, cattle rustling and border conflicts have been on the rise in the area leaving a number of people dead.
On Tuesday one person was killed and another injured by cattle rustler who stole 157 animals in Ntangilia Village in Tigania East, Meru County.
Isiolo County Commissioner George Natembeya said the Meru leaders’ remarks had incited the locals to barricade the busy Meru-Kinna road and injured a boda boda rider on Wednesday morning.
His motorcycle was also burnt in the process.
Mr Natembeya said the incitement by elected leaders was watering down efforts by security teams from the two counties to reconcile the warring communities.
“It is disappointing that the same leaders who preach peace and sit in conflict resolution meetings are propagating incitement,” said the county commissioner.
He was speaking during the handing over of 18 cattle recovered in Kiwanjani.
Mr Natembeya said that a lot of resources, which would have been otherwise used to resolve the existing conflicts, have been diverted to patrol the roads to contain any possible closure and disruption of major highways.
“We have been forced to deploy several officers to man roads within the county including the Nanyuki-Isiolo, Meru-Isiolo and Maua-Isiolo roads.
The administrator appealed to the leaders to call another press conference and withdraw their statements since they were hampering the reconciliation process between communities in the two counties.
