Turkana leaders, locals now demand State protection
Turkana County Senator John Munyes at a past function. Mr Munyes and six other lawmakers from Turkana County were on March 31, 2015 enjoined in the county's case against the state. FILE PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |
What you need to know:
- They want the government to deploy police, National Intelligence Service officers and Kenya Defence Forces to protect their borders with Baringo and West Pokot.
- The petitioners allege that raids and bandit have become rampant as a result of the newly created administrative and electoral units.
Turkana leaders and locals further want it declared that no other person or county government is entitled to exploit natural resources within Turkana unless a permission has been granted by the County Assembly.
The High Court has enjoined seven lawmakers in a case seeking to compel the national government to protect Turkana County and its people from raiders and bandits.
Mr Justice Isaac Lenaola on Tuesday allowed Turkana Senator John Munyes, Woman Representative Joyce Emanikor and MPs Christopher Nakuleu (Turkana North), Daniel Epuyo (Turkana West), James Ekomwa (Turkana South), John Nakara (Turkana Central) and Protus Akujah (Lolma) to join the suit.
The county government and some residents want the court to compel the Interior Cabinet secretary and the Attorney-General to protect the northern Kenya county from raiders from Baringo and West Pokot counties.
PROTECT BORDERS
They want the government to deploy police, National Intelligence Service officers and the Kenya Defence Forces to patrol their borders with Baringo and West Pokot.
Through their lawyer, Jotham Arwa, the petitioners allege that the raids have become rampant as a result of the newly created administrative and electoral units, which have seen their neighbours take Turkana resources.
They want the state to provide remedy and declare that the purported alteration of the former Turkana District borders pursuant to the Districts and Provinces Act No 5 of 1992 was illegal.
Turkana leaders and locals further want it declared that no other person or county government is entitled to exploit natural resources within Turkana unless a permission has been granted by the county assembly.
The raiders who reside in Turkana County should also be evicted because they occupy land illegally, the petitioners claim.
While a state counsel sought to have the matter settled out of court, Judge Lenaola declined and directed the defence to file their responses for an inter parties hearing on April 7.
