No political meetings in troubled Mau Narok, State says

The government has restricted movement in the troubled Mau Narok in Njoro, Nakuru County in a bid to end rising insecurity in the region.

At the same time politicians have also been barred from holding meetings in the region.

Njoro Deputy County Commissioner Kennedy Lunalo warned residents to stay indoors at night as police will be patrolling the area.

Mr Lunalo said officers from the Anti-Stock Theft Unit and regular police officers will patrol Tipis, Mwisho wa Lami, Mau Narok and Likia.

The decision followed night attacks by suspected Maasai morans who raided the farms in the area and stole livestock.

PEOPLE INJURED

At least six people have been injured with several herd of cattle and sheep killed and others stolen between Monday and Wednesday.

“I want to ask the residents to stay indoors at night as security officers will be here working round the clock to ensure the people are safe,” said Mr Lunalo.

For two consecutive days, the residents have held demonstrations over the rising insecurity.

Transport and businesses were paralysed on Tuesday and Wednesday as the residents barricaded the Njoro-Narok road using bonfires and stones demanding for an end to the attacks.

ATTACK

According to the residents, tension began on Monday evening when two people were attacked while working at the controversial Muthera farm and three cows stolen from Gashembe village.

A retaliatory attack by the villagers saw eight cows stolen from Narok North.

Later on Tuesday, a group of 50 Maasai morans are said to have raided Mau Narok and Mwisho wa Lami villages and stole two cattle.

Angry residents retaliated by storming a nearby slaughterhouse and stole flocks of sheep and slaughtered some.

POLICE LAX

Mr Peter Njoroge, who is the chairman of Nyumba Kumi at Tipis, accused the area security team of laxity.

But Mr Lunalo said more police officers have been deployed to beef up security.

The administrator further warned politicians against holding meetings in Mau Narok saying they are likely to polarise the area.

A Naivasha-based politician, Mr James Karimi, was on Tuesday summoned by police over his activities in Njoro.

Mr Karimi presented himself at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and recorded a statement over his peace meetings with elders and residents in the area.