- He said they will also be remunerated and put under clear command as part of the National Police Service.
- He assured residents that no serious security threats are expected in the region during the elections period.
Image: BY MATHEWS NDANYI
The government plans to revive the deployment of National Police Reservists in Kerio Valley but under a restructured plan.
Rift Valley regional coordinator George Natembeya said the officers will be trained and deployed in an orderly manner so that they are properly remunerated and put under proper command as part of the National Police Service.
“We will ensure there is proper management and supervision especially as concerns the use of arms,” Natembeya said.
He said the NPRs programme had not died out but was just suspended for the purpose of fresh planning.
Natembeya said this was to ensure proper administration and accountable use of arms.
“We will not however allow residents to continue holding illegal arms in those areas where NPR will be deployed," he said.
He was speaking in Eldoret after attending a security meeting with a section of leaders from the Kerio Valley region to discus how to deal with banditry in affected counties.
The meeting was attended by Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos, his Deputy Wesley Rotich and Eldoret Catholic Bishop Dominic Kimengich.
Natembeya said they had also identified Taity constituency as the main source of criminals who perpetrate banditry in the region.
“We have agreed that we have to open up that area so that we have better roads and more schools for our children."
Natembeya said the security teams deployed in Taity will be reshuffled and some of the units will be moved to strategic areas.
The regional coordinator said the Catholic Church had also agreed to revive its Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) because it previously helped to strengthen peace in the region.
“All the other actors, including churches and communities, will be involved so that the measures we put in place are more effective,” he said.
Natembeya said the government had carried out a security mapping of the Rift Valley region to help determine deployment of security teams ahead of the 2022 general election.
He further added that the government will ensure areas like Laikipia and Kerio Valley have adequate security so that criminals do not take advantage of the polls to terrorise residents.
He assured residents that no serious security threats are expected in the region during the elections period.
Governors in the North Rift will also hold a series of peace and security meetings to chart the way forward on fighting banditry in the Kerio Valley region.
Tolgos said all political leaders from Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo and West Pokot will also meet with security chiefs and involve communities in new measures to fight banditry.
Tolgos said the counties will set aside funds to support peace and security initiatives.
“As counties in the region, we are concerned with the insecurity problem and are looking for long term measures to end the problem and have our people live in peace,” Tolgos said.