Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai wants the government to deploy additional National Police Reservists to help stop increasing incidents of banditry attacks in Turkana county.
Lomorukai says the county has known hot spots where attacks usually occur, hence the need for additional NPRs in such areas.
“We do not have adequate police officers in the county, which is very vast, hence the need to have more NPRs to help handle the situation,” Lomorukai said.
During a visit to Logum, Kaputir ward, the governor said there was an inhumane and a deliberate attempt to destabilise peaceful coexistence between the Turkana and Pokot communities.
The governor extended his condolences to a family whose kin was reportedly ambushed and killed by armed attackers, assuring residents of swift government intervention.
According to locals, the deceased was a university student on holiday who had taken up delivering water using a motorcycle, to support artisanal miners at the newly opened Kachilangiro gold site.
“This was a promising youth working hard to earn an honest living. His murder is unacceptable. My administration will work closely with security agencies to ensure the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice,” Lomorukai said.
The recommendation for additional NPRs has already been forwarded to Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, who visited the region a week ago.
He called on Murkomen to quickly respond to his request, emphasising that the move would significantly improve security in volatile areas.
The governor noted that the county had prioritised peacebuilding across its borders, citing recent progress such as the Nadapal and Lokiriama peace accords.
“While we continue to invest in long-term peace strategies, increasing the number of NPRs—say 50 per hotspot—would provide the immediate security reinforcement needed to prevent further loss of life and livelihoods.”
Lomorukai warned that the limited number of reservists undermined peace efforts, noting that recent bandit attacks in Kainuk and Napeitom had eroded community confidence and threatened public safety.
County assembly chairman for Public Service, Administration and Security, Samuel Aliwo, expressed concern that the attack had led to the temporary closure of mining activities in the area, further depriving residents of income opportunities.
He also condemned the killing of the student.
“We believe this was a calculated attack. If the government does not respond swiftly, these criminals will feel emboldened. We are calling for decisive action within the next seven days,” Aliwo said.
Other MCAs, including Samal Etubon (Katilu), Dorcas Epusiye (nominated) and Michael Aemun (Kaputir) also demanded quick arrest of bandits who killed the student.
