Senator Musila calls for dispatch of more police to end banditry

Kitui Senator David Musila addressing a gathering in Ukasi market in Mwingi Central on February 3, 2017. He wants police to end banditry in the county. PHOTO | THOMAS WAITA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • He further urged Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery to beef up the number of security officers manning the volatile areas.
  • County Commissioner Boaz Cherutich recently said the government was conducting an operation to disarm bandits.

Kitui Senator David Musila has piled pressure on the State to drive Somali herders out of the county to end sporadic attacks that claimed several lives this year.

Speaking on Friday at Ukasi in Mwingi Central, which is one of the most affected areas, Mr Musila told the government to deploy police reservists to protects the residents.

"We don’t understand why the national government is reluctant to put an end to the pasture-related skirmishes yet our people are getting shot dead every other day.

"It is the mandate of the State to protect its citizens. We demand that the government immediately drive the bandits out of our county or create police reserves among residents living on the volatile Tana River-Kitui border," he said.

He referred to the killing of three people by suspected bandits in Kyuso, Mwingi North, on New Year's eve.

The legislator faulted the national government for laxity in ending the clashes.

He further urged Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery to beef up the number of security officers manning the volatile areas to avoid more loss of life and restore normalcy.

County Commissioner Boaz Cherutich recently said the government was conducting an operation to disarm bandits whom he said have been masquerading as camel herders.

He said the crackdown was ongoing in the volatile parts of Kitui South, Mwingi North and Mwingi East.

"Security officers have been deployed to the ground to identify and forcefully disarm the brigands who have been wreaking havoc and causing tension among the people of Kitui," Mr Cherutich said.

He added that the State is committed to enhance security.