•Leaders from the Rift Valley region called on President William Ruto to order the deployment of military officers to Kerio Valley.
•Natembeya's word of advice came at a time when the security organ is preparing for the disarmament exercise.
Image: DAVID MUSUNDI
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has called on the security team handling banditry to analyse the situation before taking any action.
The former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner said that analysing the situation will help give the security team a clear picture of why the bandits attacked innocent people.
"I would like to urge the security organs to critically analyze the situation and, if necessary, ensure that individuals involved in banditry and cattle rustling have an alternative provision and source of livelihood," Natembeya said on Sunday.
His word of advice came at a time when the security organ is preparing for the disarmament exercise.
The Governor also sent his condolences to the families who have lost loved ones through banditry attacks in recent and past years.
"There comes a time in life when we must prioritize human life, and my hope is that peace will be restored as soon as possible," he said.
While Speaking earlier in Nakuru, Natembeya revealed the reason why he resigned as Rift Valley Regional Commissioner was because of what he witnessed during the banditry attacks.
He explained that there was insubordination due to conflicting interests.
“The things that happened in Laikipia conservancy made me resolve to leave my job because you would tell someone these are the coordinates, the bandits are this side then they bomb the opposite side because the owners of the livestock are the same people we sit with on the table to plan strategies on how to finish the bandits,” Natembeya said.
"Later, they would declare the region banditry free and let residents go back to their homes," he added.
This comes even as the leaders from the region asked for military support to help handle the situation that has seen residents and police officers lose their lives.
On Saturday, leaders from the Rift Valley region called on President William Ruto to order the deployment of military officers to Kerio Valley and other banditry-prone parts of the country to restore normalcy.
The four counties of Baringo, Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet counties have been worst hit by the insecurity due to unending banditry and cattle rustling.
This has left several people dead including police officers.
However, Ruto reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring sanity in the banditry-prone regions of the country.
He said the government will use all the available resources to ensure no lives are lost to the bandits who have continued to terrorize parts of the country, especially the North Rift.
“Prof Kithure Kindiki is not here because he is in that region. Today he was in Baringo, yesterday he was in Turkana,” Ruto said.
“I ordered him to leave his Nairobi office and pitch camp in the North Rift until the issue of Kenyans losing lives is resolved," he added.