A section of leaders in Baringo have called upon security agencies to mount an operation to flush out bandits who continue to terrorize residents.
Speaking during this year’s Mashujaa day celebrations at Marigat grounds in Baringo South Sub County, the area Member of Parliament (MP) Charles Kamuren claimed that the daring armed criminals have even trespassed into areas gazetted in March this year as disturbed and dangerous by Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki.
Kamuren noted that the lapse which has allowed bandits to regroup in large numbers in areas like Arabal, Mukutani and Rugus is a result of security apparatus in the county not fully implementing the directive by Prof Kindiki which had also restricted access to those seeking pasture for their livestock within the gazzetted areas.
He challenged the County Commissioner Stephen Kutwa and Police Commander Julius Kiragu to launch a ‘serious’ operation that will end the insecurity menace in some parts of Baringo North and South as well as neighbouring counties of Laikipia, Elgeyo Marakwet and Turkana Counties.
“I am expecting to see top security officials in the county to hold public barazas in some of the volatile areas so that they can get the real situation on the ground in order for them to act accordingly,” the legislator said.
Kamuren who pointed out that residents are still living in fear not knowing when the enemy might strike said any criminal in possession of an illegal firearm should not be tolerated.
He was referring to instances where some of security personnel side with criminals to secure their freedom arguing that such officers should be called out and if not be transferred immediately away from their stations.
Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi said it is unfortunate to note that some criminals continue to encroach on other peoples’ land and scare them away so that they can graze their livestock.
Cheboi called upon the aggressors to vacate such areas to avoid unnecessary conflicts due to competition for pasture and other natural resources like water.
“We want to end the challenge of banditry once and for all but that will only be realized when our residents start preaching peace and coexist harmoniously,” he said.
County Woman Representative Florence Jematia in her remarks urged all stakeholders to play their role in ending the insecurity challenge which she said has persisted over three decades.
Jematia agreed that some efforts which were initiated by the national government for the past one year have borne fruits but challenged the locals to continue volunteering crucial leads that will aid possible arrests of the few criminals in the respective communities.
“We want Baringo to return to its former glory and that will be realized through synergy between residents and village elders, chiefs and the security apparatus,” she said.
The County MP said that she is optimistic that the challenge will be eradicated sooner so that residents can continue with their normal activities without any major problems.
The County Commissioner acknowledged that his security team had encountered some few challenges during the Maliza Uhalifu Operation but said they were working on modalities to make it successful.
Kutwa warned that the areas which were declared disturbed shall continue to remain so and that anybody who will be found will not be tolerated.
“From next week we want to enhance the operation and we will use our armored vehicles to climb the gazetted hills and valleys which continue to remain out of bound for aggressors as well as inhabitants,” he said.
The CC gave an assurance that the national police reservists will not be used to safeguard national examinations as alleged by local leaders but will continue engaging in the work they have been assigned of teaming up with multi agency teams in restoring peace in volatile areas of the county.
