Professionals from West Pokot county have faulted the government for failure to curb insecurity in Kerio Valley along the border of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet border.
The professionals gave the government a one-week ultimatum to address insecurity challenges that have caused havoc in the area.
They accused security officers of failing to nab perpetrators of crime along the border of the two counties.
The professionals accused security organs of laxity and not ending the escalating killings and arresting culprits wreaking havoc along the border of the two counties.
This has derailed development, caused displacement, shut down of schools and has infringed fear among locals who have migrated from the area.
Schools like Cheptulel boys and girls, Chesogon Primary ,Chesogon boys ,Cheratat ,Saplomoi have been closed following a series of insecurity incidents.
This comes after a young boy was killed by bandits at Cheratat village on Thursday.
The professionals accused the government of being biased when it comes to handling security issues in the region.
Led by Abraham Ruto, the Cheputulel professionals Chairperson, they said that the government has not done anything to contain the situation, and more than forty people have lost their lives in a span of four months, property has been destroyed and schools closed. “We are saddened by the rampant killings in the area. These things should come to an end. We want the government to walk the talk. Children are not in school, and residents are even sleeping in caves,” said Ruto.
They accused the Deputy President of not engaging the two communities in resolving the dispute between them. “The Deputy President has been in Marakwet along the border but he didn’t mind to come on the Pokot side,” said Ruto.
Sigor Member of parliament Phillip Rotino called on the government to intervene in the matter and help stop the insecurity incidents witnessed in the area.
Mr Rotino said that the border side of the Pokot has not been manned properly by security officers.
“Areas in Marakwet side have many police officers, administration officers, GSU and more than 80 police reservists while we don’t have any. The Deputy President or the security team are sleeping on their job ,” he said.
Reformed Church of East Africa Rev. Joseph Murpus called on the government to facilitate the church to reconcile the two communities.
“We want to church leaders from Marakwet to come and meet us so that we can resolve the issue. I personally talked to the Deputy President over the matter but he seems to be ignoring it. We need reconciliation,” said Murpus.