Pokot leaders want police reservists in Elgeyo Marakwet disarmed.
The leaders made the demand after some 200 bandits suspected to include police reservists from Marakwet allegedly attacked two villages in Tirioko ward in Tiaty subcounty. They killing two herders and stole over 300 cattle on March 11.
“The government should move fast to review and seize the guns possessed by NPR in Elgeyo Marakwet before they turn out to be a militia group to massacre and loot property from innocent people,” Tiaty MP William Kamket said.
The MP said Marakwet reservists could be using their guns illegally for banditry attacks to kill, maim and steal livestock from neighboring communities.
He spoke when he distributed relief food at Nginyang in his constituency on Wednesday.
Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Mwongo Chimwaga who was present said he would consider the request.
Pokot South MP David P’kosing and several MCAs accused reservists in Kapedo, on the border with Turkana county, of involvement is criminal activities.
“We don’t have a problem with the peaceful reservists in Baringo North and Baringo South subcounties who are doing their work diligently as required of them to maintain peace,” the lawmaker said.
Tirioko MCA Sam Lokales said bandits attacked and drove away 370 cattle towards Elgeyo Marakwet county.
Lokales said over 50 cattle were shot dead in a fierce exchange of fire between the NPR and police officers.
Ng’oron Assistant County Commissioner Eliud Nalungu said security officers were yet to recover the stolen livestock and arrest the bandits.
“None of the livestock have been recovered apart from only some 20 cows which escaped during the battles from the hands of the rustlers and ran back to their owners,” Nalungu said.
In February last year, suspected bandits dressed in NPR uniforms raided Kipnai in Tiaty, killed one herder and drove away more than 100 cattle.
“We wonder what the NPR is doing in a cattle rustling mission when they were suppose to beef up security,” a resident Tiliot Lolem said.
