- Ruto said they will help improve security presence in the region where banditry has ravaged lives for many decades.
- “Security is also about presence and the plan is to occupy that area, so that whenever we have issues we have quick response,” he said.
Image: BY MATHEWS NDANYI
Kerio Valley leaders have welcomed government plans to set up military and other security training facilities as part of measures to end banditry.
President William Ruto said the military and security facilities will be set up in Turkana, Suguta valley and Kerio Valley.
He said they will help improve security presence in the region where banditry has ravaged lives for many decades.
“Security is also about presence and the plan is to occupy that area, so that whenever we have issues we have quick response,” Ruto said during media interviews on Wednesday.
Leaders in the region led by Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich and Marakwet East MP Bowen Kangogo said the President’s plan is long overdue as it would deal a final blow to banditry.
“As a county we are ready to support the government plans as may be required because with that, we are assured that our people will live in peace,” Rotich said.
On Tuesday, the leaders had angrily called for ruthless action against continuing banditry as Interior CS Kithure Kindiki who was visiting the region also announced further security measures.
The region and 14 counties are affected by cattle rustling and related insecurity.
Kindiki said the government will not tolerate banditry as has been the case over the years.
He announced plans to empower chiefs and other security agents working in affected areas.
“We can’t expect a chief to help deal with such serious insecurity issues yet they are empty-handed,” Kindiki said.
The CS toured Kerio Valley where tension is high in Ketut, Marakwet East subcounty following the recent killing of two girls by bandits who also stole livestock. The killings happened on New Year's Day.
The two, a Form 3 student at Kabulwo Secondary School and her younger sister a Class 7 pupil at Kabetwa Primary School, were shot dead by bandits as they herding family livestock.
Kindiki further said the insecurity menace in the region and other counties has undermined development programmes.
The CS was with Roads CS Kipchumba Murkomen, Governor Rotich, Kangogo and Senator Aaron Cheruiyot
Kangogo said Ruto’s plan for the region is serious and they are confident that banditry will be wiped out.
“What we lacked in the past was serious leadership but we can now see the commitment from government, especially from the President, who has declared that banditry must come to an end,” he said.
Kangogo had on Tuesday asked the CS not to be like his predecessors who had visited the region to give empty ultimatums and promises, which did not end the killings.
“We have cried enough. We hope you, our new CS, are not here, to give those ultimatums and promises which do not help. We want action to ensure the bloodshed comes to an end,” Kangogo said.
The MPs also called for disarmament in the region.
They said the bandits in West Pokot have heavy arms that the government has not been able to seize for years.
Senator Cheruiyot said the government should act without mercy.
“We now are in government and should act and not allow the children of Kerio Valley to continue suffering at the hands of bandits,” he said.
Cheruiyot said those who live by the sword must die by the sword, adding that the bandits have turned arrogant and always dare the government.
“There is no need for us to take our military to other countries yet our people in Kerio Valley are being killed like rats,” he said.
Murkomen also supported the President’s plan for the region and said a lot has to be done to end banditry.
“As leaders from the region we will work with the President and CS Kindiki to help restore lasting peace in Kerio Valley,” he said.