Normalcy has returned to Kerio Valley following heightened peace and security efforts by the government, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said.
Speaking while conducting a security assessment in Kainuk at the border of Turkana and West Pokot Counties, CS Murkomen said that locals have resumed their normal lives after security was restored.
“We have made significant progress in restoring peace and normal life in many parts of the Kerio Valley region,” CS Murkomen said.
However, he pointed out that more needs to be done in some areas where banditry cases are still being reported to weed out criminal elements.
“Today I toured Kainuk on the border of Turkana and West Pokot counties, where incidences of banditry have been witnessed in the recent past,” he said, adding: “We are rolling out a comprehensive operation in the area, which will include disarmament and apprehension of perpetrators and their sponsors.”
He cautioned politicians from the two counties to exercise restraint and tolerance to avoid inflaming tensions and driving a wedge between communities.
As we work on this operation, I call on politicians from the two counties to desist from inflammatory statements and urge residents to remain calm.
He was accompanied by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (KPS) Eliud Lagat and senior security officials from Turkana and West Pokot counties.
At the same time, Murkomen announced new security measures to weed out criminal elements along the Laikipia-Isiolo border, noting that a few isolated incidents have been reported recently.
“Even as we consolidate the gains made in restoring peace and security across the Kerio Valley and Northern Kenya, a few isolated insecurity incidents have been reported in parts of the region, including Mukogodo along the Laikipia–Isiolo border,” the Cabinet Secretary said.
In order to drive out the criminals, Murkomen announced the formation of a special intelligence-led, multi-agency operation to secure Mukogodo Forest and its environs by arresting criminals and their accomplices.
“We are also expediting the rehabilitation of security roads and the expansion of network coverage to open up the area, while strengthening the capacity of National Police Reservists among other supportive measures,” he added.
He was accompanied by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Deputy Inspector General (APS), Gilbert Masengeli, GSU Commandant Ranson Lolmodooni, OMU Commander Brigadier Alex Kiraguri, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr. Abdi Hassan and Regional Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi, among other security officials.
Leaders present were MPs Sarah Korere (Laikipia North), Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East), Jane Kagiri (County) and former National Assembly Speaker Francis Ole Kaparo, among other leaders.
