MPs protest against rising militia attacks

MPs have protested against rising insecurity in Turkana, saying, it is derailing development.

Area Women Representative Joyce Emanikor, Turkana East MP Nicholas Ngikolong, Turkana South MP James Lomenen and Turkana Central MP John Lodepe said security should not be compromised or left to the residents of Turkana alone. They blamed the attacks for the region’s poverty.

Speaking at a function organised by Red Cross at Lokichar centre, Mr Lodepe and Mr Lomenen said that because of the insecurity, students do not go to school, traders have closed shops and pastoralists are always on the run.

Mr Ngikolong complained that frequent attacks from nearby West Pokot County and Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda have devastated the region.

“At least seven people are killed every day, and this is because there is no clear channel of communication. The number might even be more, meaning over 49 Turkana residents are killed every week,” he noted.

The MPs said the killings are no longer related to rustling, saying, the raiders want to grab land.

Ms Emanikor urged both the county and national governments to buy planes to patrol the county and rescue victims of attacks.

“We have poor roads and most police officers don’t have vehicles to track down the bandits. The injured succumb to excessive bleeding and severe wounds,” she said.

MARINE POLICE

She, however, thanked the government for sending marine police at Todonyang to address security in Lake Turkana. The MPs listed Kainuk, Kapedo, Loima, Todonyang, Napitom, Lolepat, Nakwamoru, Juluk, Lorokon and Lomelo as some of the most affected areas.

They want the government to stamp out insecurity the way it did in Garissa and Bungoma counties.