Leaders from West Pokot County have called for collective overall security surveillance between West Pokot and Turkana Counties to tackle insecurity along the border of the two counties.
The leaders called on the inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet to intervene and ensure that there is no security lapse in the region by putting the anti stock theft police unit along the border to combat banditry and cattle rustling.
Led by West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo and West Pokot Senator elect Samuel Poghisio ,the leaders called on all elected leaders from the region to join hands to end the insecurity menace in the region.
Speaking at Kambi Karaya area along the Kitale-Lodwar highway along the border point, Lonyangapuo said that few individuals have been attacking travellers and motorists along the road. “Some few bandits have been disrupting peace by doing highway robberies,” said Lonyangapuo.
They said that there is need to put a major security camp along the border to man hot spot areas. Hot spot areas include Masol, Kambi Karaya, Lami Nyeusi and Sarimach. The leaders cited that the area should have a central security force to fight against armed aggression in the region.
Governor Lonyangapuo cited that the national police reservists from both Counties should work as team to promote peace in the region. He called on County commissioners from both Counties to come up with new strategies to combat banditry and cattle rusting vices in the area. “They have tried to contain the situation but we need new more strategies to tackle insecurity. We have 30 KPRs on each side of the county,” he said.
The Governor promised to put solar lighting system along the Kitale-Lodwar highway and boost irrigation. “We need to attract investors in this region. We want irrigation to be boosted so that residents can engage in farming activities,” he said.
Senator elect Samuel Poghisio observed that the bad state of the Kitale-Lodwar highway slows down traffic hence highway robbers take advantage to attack travellers.