Governors tell President Kenyatta to end insecurity

Governors have asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to lead the way in putting an end to the runaway insecurity in Baringo and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties, which has resulted in loss of lives, displacement and destruction of property.

The governors said the President, as the commander-in-chief, must take steps to quickly mobilise security forces to end lawlessness in all regions facing inter-ethnic, inter-clan or any other related violence.

“No part of this country should be surrendered to bandits roaming freely, stealing, maiming and killing Kenyans,” said Council of Governors Chairman Peter Munya.

In a statement to media houses on Sunday, Mr Munya condemned the escalating violence.

The insecurity, which saw Deputy President William Ruto issue a shoot-to-kill order after his rally in Baringo was disrupted by gunshots, has hampered relief food distribution in the region and other areas affected by drought.

Already, the Kenya Red Cross Society has suspended its operations in Baringo after its convoy was attacked last Friday.

Mr Munya said Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery and Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet are failing Kenyans, yet they have a constitutional mandate to protect all citizens and their property.

Security, he said, is a national government function, and Kenyans’ right to life, security and protection of property should be guaranteed.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) also appealed to Mr Boinnet to send more security officers to Baringo as insecurity worsens following the killing of two politicians a week ago.

Tiaty parliamentary seat aspirant Simon Pepee and Loyamorok MCA Fredrick Cheretei were killed in a bar in Marigat. Tension is high and hundreds of residents have fled their homes.

ARMED BANDITS

The commission said it was absurd that communities that are affected by the drought are also suffering due to armed bandits. “Armed raiders continue to terrorise the already vulnerable residents,” said the commission’s chairperson, Ms Kagwiria Mbogori, in a statement.

At the same time, KNCHR appealed to security personnel to uphold respect for human rights as they quell the flaring insecurity. She observed that cases of security personnel torturing innocent civilians have previously been reported.

“Despite disarmament efforts by the government, criminals continue to roam the county with guns, further poking questions in our security agencies’ readiness and capability,” Ms Mbogori said.

Learning has been affected in the counties as children move to safer ground with their parents, while some schools have been turned into camps for displaced families. Access to medical services has been made difficult as health workers stay away from work for fear of attacks.

The commission revealed that it would release a report on structural recommendations to address the systemic and underlying factors that have enhanced a culture of violence in the North Rift.

Meanwhile, three lawmakers from the Pokot community have appealed to their kinsmen to maintain peace and stop killings in Baringo.

West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo and MPs Mark Lomunokol (Kacheliba) and Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria) also urged that security agencies be given time to conclude investigations into the killings of the two politicians.