Security officers and area leaders have declared a ceasefire and warned bandits wrecking havoc along the West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet border. They asked security officers to deal with the few criminals destabilizing peace in the area. This comes after one person was killed and more than 30 cows stolen by bandits in Wednesday say at Kamulogon village.
Speaking in Kapenguria after the meeting with a special security team sent to the area by Inspector General of police Joseph Boinett to spearhead and restore peace, West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo and Senator Samuel Poghisio called on residents to identify and name culprits involved in banditry and cattle rustling activities in the area.
The Governor said the bandits will be flushed out from their hideouts in hot spot areas like Kamologon,
He called on the national government to establish a joint Anti-Stock Theft Unit along the volatile border of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties to curb cattle rustling and banditry.
The leaders observed that having the camp in the area will help bring down cattle rustling and insecurity incidents that have been prone along the border region.
The West Pokot Governor called for a joint overall security surveillance between West Pokot and Turkana Counties to tackle insecurity along the border of the two Counties.
He called on the County commissioners from both Counties to come up with new strategies to combat banditry and cattle rusting vices in the area. “They’ve tried to contain the situation but we need more strategies to tackle insecurity,” he said.
West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio called on the two neighbouring Counties to work jointly to change the image of the region. “We need development to be realized in the region and we need to clear our name when it comes to insecurity which has affected development in the area,” he said.
Commissioner of police in charge of the peace-building initiative Robinson Ndiema said the government through its intelligence operations is identifying and profiling ring leaders causing attacks along the border of the two Counties. “Security organs in the region have increased patrols and surveillance to nab bandits,” he said.
Ndiema issued a stern warning to criminals involved in banditry and criminal activities along the border of the two Counties. He said the government will not tolerate criminals who’ve affected the region for more than three years now.