Governor Munya calls for lasting solution to rising insecurity in parts of Meru

Meru Governor Peter Munya wants the national government to find a lasting solution to the rising insecurity in Nyambene.

Speaking in Maua Town while opening the first branch of the Meru County Micro-Finance Corporation on Wednesday, Mr Munya said the state of security in Igembe Central, Igembe North and Tigania East sub-counties was wanting.

A quick intervention was necessary to curb insecurity, he said.

This came a day after Turkana raiders attacked herders from Naathu in Igembe North in an attempt to steal their cattle.

The attack led to a fierce battle between police officers and the raiders who were repulsed.

However, three Meru herders were left with gun-shot injuries, two on their stomachs and the other on leg.

They were all rushed to Maua Methodist Hospital for treatment.

Igembe North police boss Peter Kimani said police were pursuing the raiders.

On Monday, suspected Borana raiders attacked Kinanduba and took away more than 80 goats and later killed two herders who were looking after them.

KILLINGS ALARMING

Governor Munya said the number of people killed from the three sub-counties due to cattle rustling was alarming and added that the government must find a way of ending it.

"When the president visited our county last year in February, I raised the issue of insecurity but we have not seen any changes from that time though he promised to act.”

"We hear stories every day that two were killed in Kinanduba, after three days another four in Mariara, the next day eight in Gachuuru and so on.

"We assume that these people are not many but if we combine all these you will realise they are just as many as those killed in Lamu and other areas by terrorists," he said.

He said it was time the government gave the same attention to Nyambene as it was doing to Lamu and other areas of north eastern Kenya which have been facing security challenges.

He called for the deployment of more police officers with proper equipment to enable them overpower the attackers.

"It is embarrassing to have a police post with only three or five officers who have no proper equipment at the borders where the attackers enter into the county.

SOPHISTICATED WEAPONS

"The attackers are always armed with sophisticated rifles and the best thing the officers can do is to run away," he said.

He said his government was ready to establish as many police posts as possible if the national government promises to deploy police officers.

He called on the security personnel to drive away camel herders who crossed into Meru from the neighbouring counties arguing they were the ones planning the attacks.

"There is no drought in their areas at the moment and we are therefore asking them to go back to their areas since everyone has their own place,” he said.

At the same time, the governor lauded the national government for intervening in the boundary row between Meru and Isiolo counties and exuded confidence that the same effort will be applied to end the frequent attacks.

He called for the erection of permanent beacons at the border to curb trespass.