The disarming of National Police Reservists along the border of West Pokot, Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties has greatly contributed to stable security and peace along the borders of the Counties, according to West Pokot County Commissioner Apollo Okello who said for the past three months no incidents of cattle rustling have been reported at the border of West Pokot and Turkana.
He added that the volatile West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet border has also experienced relative peace for the past one month after a peace deal was signed at Chesogon by political leaders from both Counties.
Raids and revenge attacks that led to the loss of lives and property reduced drastically as residents now enjoy calm along the border.
Okello noted that the combined efforts by security officers, political, religious leaders and elders has contributed greatly to the achievement of peace in the region. He added that some NPRs were misusing the firearms to perpetrate incidents of cattle rustling. “They are currently undergoing training and vetting so that we weed out the bad ones before we hand back the firearms to them,” he said. He added that the government will not consider those with questionable character and the deployment of special police forces to places prone to banditry and cattle rustling attacks still apply.
West Pokot County police commander Jackson Tumwet said the NPRs will be assigned with particular firearms.
He added that political good will from leaders from the Counties also contributed to peaceful coexistence. “Politicians used to differ on matters of insecurity and cattle rustling but after they decided to speak in one voice we now have adequate peace,” he said.