MPs call for arms mob up to end cattle rustling

MPs yesterday asked the government to conduct an arms mob up in cattle rustling-prone  North Rift.

Cattle rustlers have left in their wake deaths of dozens of people and destruction of property in Baringo, Turkana, West Pokot, Samburu and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties.

The disarmament call was made by members of the parliamentary Security Committee during a meeting with Interior CAS Patrick ole Ntutu.

The MPs sought to know why the government is keen to review firearm licences for civilian gun-holders and ignored the hotbeds of cattle rustling.

The matter arose after Tiaty MP William Kamket asked why National Police Reservists (NPR) have not been paid for the past eight months. 

The committee, chaired by Paul Koinange (Kiambaa MP) was told the 11,970 reservists last received their Sh5,000 monthly stipend in June last year.

Ntutu acknowledged that the reservists played a crucial role in ending insecurity.  He said the ministry had started processing pay arrears.

“We held a meeting on Monday where it was resolved that the reservists will be paid by 28th of every month,” he said.

On whether it would be cost-effective to deploy police officers, the CAS said the NPRs  understand the area better.

Kamket said local people have more guns than the police and other security teams.

He said the vastness of the area made it difficult for the police to respond to alerts from those under attack, hence the need for more reservists.

Nimrod Mbai (MP Kitui East) said the insecurity in Baringo and neighbouring counties would not be resolved without taking the guns away from residents. “Why not disarm these people? The government needs to employ the use of intelligence to identify those with arms before moving in to dispossess them.”

The lawmakers accused the Interior ministry of dealing with cattle rustling like special crime yet it was "robbery with violence".

Ntutu said the government would be more proactive when dealing with the matter going forward.

The committee chairman asked the CAS to take the matter to higher levels within the security hierarchy.

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa told Ntutu to investigate traders who supplied cattle to  butchers, adding that they fueled the trade.