A Human rights organization in the North Rift Region has raised concern over repeated killings along the County borders in the region. The body’s project officer slammed security organs for failing to nab bandits who are killing people along the West Pokot, Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo County borders.
The organization decried the continued failure to protect people from attacks and cattle rustling activities leading to human rights violations. Peace and Justice Center Kitale (PJC) organization Project officer Mr. Boniface Wanyoike raised concern over the rising cases of killings along the borders of the four neighbouring Counties.
More than ten people have been killed in a span of one month along the borders of the four Counties. They condemned the rising cases of killings and banditry activities along the borders and along the Kitale–Lodwar highway.
Speaking during a peace meeting at Sigor, Mr. Wanyoike said the criminal acts are done during the day and that raises more questions than answers. “We want the perpetrators arrested because we know them and they are still walking freely. The Constitution of Kenya in the bills of rights, provides and upholds the right to life and nobody has the right to take away any person’s life,” he said.
He said targeting and killing people along the borders has reached a crisis point and needs urgent intervention. He cited that the community had seen an increase in attacks over the past four months sparking concerns that not enough is being done to protect their rights. “We have seen an increase over the past three months and the authorities have not arrested some perpetrators, the situation has reached a crisis level. We urge the government to act immediately,” he said.
He added that many residents in the affected North Rift region still don’t understand roles of leaders and he urged the government to deploy more security officers in the area.
