Governor calls for new tactics in the war against stock theft

A governor called on the government to change strategies in tackling insecurity in pastoral areas.

Speaking to the Press in Kapenguria, West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin said the government had never succeeded through the means it has used in the past.

“The government should come up with short and long term measures to address insecurity,” he said.

The county boss faulted security agents working in marginalised counties, saying they had let down the government.

“The security officers have failed completely. They have completely let down the government ,” he said.

He accused the media of fuelling animosity among the warring peoples in the region.

“The media should stop blanket condemnation,” he said and urged journalists to differentiate between West Pokot and Baringo counties.

“These are two different counties and I was surprised to read somewhere about West Pokot and Baringo burning,” he said.

He added that the media misreport information concerning insecurity in the area. Mr Kachapin observed that governors should have a bigger role in security matters and share information.

“We wonder why county commissioners and county commanders meet and isolate the governors,” said Mr Kachapin.

He appealed to the security apparatus to provide a consultative forum, saying that the security teams never involve the local county leadership in mapping out the critical areas that need attention.

Governor Kachapin was reacting to the recent killings in Nademo of Baringo County. He said that the government had failed to provide enough security to all Kenyans, and appealed to the people to curb such retrogressive activities as cattle rustling which has led to loss of lives.

The governor said the issue of border disputes in the North Rift should not be used as an excuse for insecurity. He appealed to residents to ensure that peace prevailed as the boundary disputes were sorted out in an atmosphere of peace. He said that security personnel should be deployed to such areas in advance.

Mr Kachapin, who blamed the government for such serious security lapses, said that religious leaders should be given an upper hand in bringing the warring peoples together and resolving border issues.

He cited the one that was led by Bishop Cornelius Korir of Eldoret Catholic Diocese which brought the warring peoples for dialogue.

The governor accused the government of doing little as frequent killings along the borders took place.