Leaders from West Pokot County have called on the national government to allocate more resources to pastoral communities to help end retrogressive practices like cattle rustling and other insecurity incidents that hinder development in the region.
Led by Kapenguria Member of Parliament Samuel Moroto, the leaders said that poverty has led to many youths from pastoral areas to engage in vices.
Speaking in his constituency, Moroto observed that most youths from the region engage in criminal activities because they are idle.
Moroto called on the government to put up measures to end insecurity in the area adding that West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo are among the areas that need special attention.
He called for the arrest of the perpetrators of crime along the borders of neighbouring counties in the region.
“We want the Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery to arrest the culprits committing crime in the area,” he said.
The legislator cited that most areas in the North rift region were marginalized by former regimes and there is the need to help them.
“West Pokot was a closed district and residents were neglected and that is why most youths engage in cattle rustling. It is not their wish to do that,” he said.
He urged area leaders to come together and help end insecurity incidents that have resurfaced in the area.
“Leaders should be people of good will. We don’t want to hear what happened in Tiaty and Kapedo,” Moroto said.
He called on the government and well-wishers to help youths from vulnerable families to access education.
“Youths should be motivated and they should not give up. We appeal to all Kenyans to help disadvantaged youths,” Moroto said.