Pokot South Member of Parliament David Pkossing has differed with some of the leaders in West Pokot County over the deployment of Kenya police reservists to deal with the insecurity situation on the border of West Pokot, Turkana, Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties.
Pkossing said some of the political leaders have sensationally claimed that the Deputy President William Ruto armed untrained Kenya Police Reservists in Baringo county drawn from one community to help in the operation exercise which is aimed at flushing out bandits.
Pkossing dismissed the claims saying that the government has deployed KPRs in all the counties that are experiencing insecurity in the North Rift region. “Jubilee government is our government and has the Pokot community needs at heart. This is contrary to the lies being peddled by certain leaders to create tension and mislead our people,” he said,”We are in the government and we know what is going on and we are here to defend our people. It’s therefore, wrong for some of the elected leaders to behave like this and play political games with this sensitive matter instead of visiting the relevant agencies to seek clarification.”
He added that the government had deployed 250 KPRs, added to the 685 already in existence in West Pokot county and within a week they will be equipped sufficiently to protect the residents and their livestock.
“West Pokot deployment is the largest addition in the region. Marakwet has 242 KPRs, Turkana has 170 and Baringo 195. The KPRs are expected to work with their colleagues across county borders to stabilize security,” he said.
West Pokot county police commandant Mathew Kuto said the government will consider putting up an Anti-Stock Theft Unit on the border and more mechanisms are being established to erect police camps in the area.
He noted that the insecurity issue had escalated to places that were
safe before, and he urged the deployed security personnel to protect both communities. “The KPRs are also entitled to execute their mandate without favouritism and they should behave soberly when tackling insecurity matters,” he said.
He urged KPRs from both communities to work as a team to help nab the bandits who have resorted to living in the forests. According to locals, the bandits have caused pandemonium in the region, forcing families to flee their homes. They added that several schools have been closed along the border of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties and scores injured.
“We urge the government to build a GSU camp here, elders have also tried to hold talks but it seems like the situation is getting worse,” said Simon Koriyese.
