Politicians disagree on police operation in Kerio Valley

The government’s move to deploy security personnel to flush out bandits in Kerio Valley and Baringo County has ruffled feathers in the region.

Leaders from the Marakwet and Tugen communities, whose people have borne the brunt of the perennial cattle raids say that the move is long overdue, but those from the Pokot community, who are perceived to be the aggressors are of the opinion that the exercise will subject innocent civilians to suffering.

“We welcome the government’s efforts to restore calm in the troubled region. However, the exercise should be carried out with a humane face to avoid harassment and torture of innocent wananchi,” said West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo.

He called on the leaders from the warring communities to be in the forefront in uniting the communities.

Pokot leaders, among them MPs Philip Rotino (Sigor) and his Kapenguria counterpart Samuel Moroto, have poked holes into the operation.

“Members of the Pokot community will be disadvantaged as their neighbours are in possession of illegal firearms. If disarmament is to be successful, it should be carried across the board,” said Mr Moroto.

FIGHT AGAINST BANDITRY

But Tugen leaders have told off their Pokot counterparts whom they said were not committed in the fight against banditry.

“Where have they been all along? More than 10 people including a mother and her three-day-old child were killed but they didn’t they raise a finger. Why are they talking now?” asked Baringo North MP William Cheptumo.

Calm is slowly returning to Baringo North and South sub-counties after the government deployed police officers and Kenya Police Reservists to carry out a massive operation.

The 151 police reservists and 230 police officers will carry out operations in Kagir, Ng’aratuko, Kagir, Yatya, Chepkesin and Kinyach areas in Baringo North and Chebinyiny, Arabal, Noosukro, Ruggus, Mukutani and Ng’elecha in Baringo South.

This follows a tour of the area by Deputy President William Ruto, who declared the volatile areas in the region dangerous and launched a massive operation to flush out bandits and illegal herders.

The deployment of the officers has seen locals flee their homes in Tiaty sub-county in fear of being victimised.

The operation, which started on Tuesday last week is aimed at driving away bandits and illegal herders who have invaded Baringo.

TRADING CENTRES DESERTED

A spot check by the Nation revealed that trading centres in Tiaty, such as Chemolingot, Nginyang, Loruk, Churo and Tangulbei are deserted and shops remain closed.

“All the towns and centres in Tiaty are deserted and people have moved to the neighbouring Laikipia, Turkana and West Pokot counties for fear of being attacked by the police. Businesses have closed in the towns and no vehicle is plying Loruk-Chemolingot road,” said Mr Paul Lotudo, a businessman in Chemolingot.

He added:  “All the government officials from other communities who were working in Tiaty have since fled the area. Learning remains paralysed in all schools in the area and health centres have also been closed.”

Baringo County Administration Police commander Robinson Ndiwa, however, assured the residents that the operation is only targeting criminals.
Meanwhile, Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu have criticised Deputy President William Ruto’s shoot-to-kill directive in the banditry prone areas of Baringo and West Pokot counties.

Speaking separately in Bomet County at the weekend, Governor Ruto of Chama Cha Mashinani and the ODM MP said the best approach to ending decades-old banditry menace in the region was for the government to roll out development projects and change the livelihoods of the people.

And speaking in Sotik, Mr Mwadeghu said the DP erred in issuing the directive, saying it created room for the security forces to target their perceived enemies and kill them in disregard of law.

Additional reporting by Geoffrey Rono