Leaders from Turkana County are raising the alarm over a
devastating wave of banditry attacks that have claimed at least five lives in
the last two months, despite the heavy presence of multi-agency security forces
in the region.
The legislators have accused the security teams of failing
to protect residents, recover millions of shillings worth of stolen livestock,
and even of brutalising the very communities they are deployed to safeguard.
The outcry follows a fresh attack on Wednesday, September
24, in Kainuk, where an officer of the National Police Reservists (NPR) and a
young adult were killed by bandits from the neighbouring Pokot community.
Speaking at a press conference at Parliament Buildings on
Thursday, Turkana South MP John Ariko Namoit, condemned the escalating violence
and the security forces' response.
He detailed a grim chronology of raids that have left the
Aroo Sub-County "under siege" since late August.
“Since late August, Aroo Sub County has been under siege,
despite the presence of a multi-agency security force,” Dr Namoit stated.
“Pokot raiders targeted Kainuk Lomosingo Irrigation Scheme
only for them to be repelled by the bravery of our National Police Reservist
who have now come under persecution instead of being commended.”
The MP listed a series of incidents, including a raid on
Kakongu Village on September 3 where 350 shoats (sheep and goats) were stolen,
and an attack on Kainuk Mixed Secondary School on September 8, where bandits
breached the fence and stole shoats paid as school fees, “robbing our children
of their educational future.”
However, Namoit expressed profound shock at the conduct of
the security forces, which include the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), General
Service Unit (GSU), and Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), among others.
“It is very heartbreaking to see how the multi-agency team
has turned on our people by brutalizing innocent victims, inflicting bruises
and internal injuries as well as arresting a Kakongu NPR seeking ammunition
replenishment. This is a betrayal of trust; our protectors must not become our
oppressors,” he declared.
The leaders' frustration is compounded by the fact that the
attacks continue unabated two months after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure
Kindike convened a high-profile security meeting, the 'Jukwaa La Usalama,' in
Turkana County in July.
The CS had promised to act on the deliberations from town
hall meetings with residents, but the leaders say this has yielded no positive
results.
Echoing Dr Namoit's sentiments, Loima MP Protus Akuja
questioned the value of the security deployment if it cannot defend innocent
civilians.
“What is the need of having these forces here who cannot
defend innocent women and children? We are concerned with the security of our
people and their property,” the MP said.
He emphasised the need for a lasting solution, stating, “We
need to feel part and parcel of this great nation Kenya when our affairs as far
as security is concerned are also put into consideration.”
Akuja placed the responsibility squarely on the national
government. “The responsibility of protecting lives and property lies with
Government security agencies. We appeal that recoveries must be done on both
sides, unlike what we are seeing now that makes us feel targeted for harassment
by these multi-agency security teams in Turkana South.”
The leaders collectively urged President William Ruto to
intervene immediately.
They called for enhanced border patrols, a coordinated
disarmament program, the immediate release of the detained NPR officer, and a
shift in strategy to ensure that security operations protect victims rather
than victimise them further.
Turkana Senator Ekomwa Lomenen explained the need for
disarmaments in both Turkana and Pokot saying that this will play a long way in
peace process.
“The Proliferation of illegal firearms along Turkana-Pokot
border continues to fuel the violence, as these raids disrupts livelihood and
deepen poverty creating a new wave of insecurity. We call for serious
disarmament, mediation and robust security measure that will restore peace and
tranquility within these two neighboring Counties.”
