A section of West Pokot county leaders have mounted pressure on interior cabinet secretary Dr. Fred Matiangi and Riftvalley regional coordinator George Natembeya to resign if they can’t conduct the insecurity operation in Kapedo in a human way.
They allege that the operation only targets the Pokot community where a number of people have been killed, animals shot citing that the humiliation is too much as thousands count days without food.
Led by West Pokot county women representative Lilian Tomitom they condemned the ongoing operation being done in a brutal way as they pleaded with the president to intervene.
She said top leaders are busy talking about Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and yet the Pokot and Turkana communities are not bridging but brewing animosity as they loose lives.
“Am warning Matiangi and Natembeya if they can’t halt the operation at Kapedo let them resign and go home, we want to see the two at Kapedo so that they can see how people have been denied their basic rights.” She said.
She noted that the problem at Kapedo is not all about cattle rustling but border conflict that remains unresolved for years.
Pokot South MP David Pkosing said they voted for jubilee government and pleaded with the government to talk to leaders and come up with a solution.
“The government should investigate incitement that came from Turkana leaders most of the MPs who were in Kapedo want to be governors that is why they are inciting locals, let them solicit votes in a sober way rather than brewing up conflict.” Said Pkosing. He added that he will continue fighting for the rights of the Pokot community until justice is delivered.
“He pleaded with residents not to shoot police officers hence urged the security officials to hold a meeting with all leaders from Pokot and Turkan community and allow room for dialogue to end the stalemate. The leaders were speaking at Sondany Secondary School while handing over a bus that was bought by Pokot South constituency development fund.