Gov’t To Conduct ‘Forceful’ Disarmament Exercise Amidst Insecurity In Elgeyo Marakwet And Baringo

ELGEYO MARAKWET,Kenya, Jan, 7 – The country’s security apparatus has raised concerns over the increased cases of insecurity in parts of Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet county.

The flareup of violence according to security agencies has seen several people being displaced in Kinyach  area of  Baringo North and areas of Arror, Kapkobil and Tot in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

According to preliminary reports, three people have so far sustained gunshot injuries and are currently hospitalised in health facilities in Kapsowar.

During this week’s attack, 60 heads of livestock were also stolen.

During a peace meeting held at Kinyach, Baringo North led by Rift valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya and county governors, Stanley Kiptis of Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet’s Alex Tolgos amongst others, sought to address the perennial crisis.

Last week following the increased insecurity, angry residents are said to have destroyed a bridge connecting the two affected counties.

“I here these criminals have now formed WhatsApp groups and use it to plan raids. These are thieves. We have meanwhile resolved to conduct forceful disarmament, voluntary disarmament is no longer working. We will now deploy officers to those affected areas,” said Natembeya.

The Regional Commissioner said that security agencies already have information on who is in possession of illegal firearms warning residents against taking the law into their own hands.

“We will not dispatch security personnel with government firearms until we sanitise the affected areas from illegal firearms.If you have an illegal firearm security personnel will consider you armed and dangerous,” he said.

Meanwhile police officers will be deployed to at least four schools that were recently closed as a result of the attacks.

Natembeya said that it was critical learners return back to school as the national examinations are just around the corner.

“Guns in the hands of mwananchi is very dangerous, I now want to plead, lets us have NPR in those affected areas, they will prevent those raiders from attacking residents. As we approach an electioneering period, we as leaders must also be responsible and preach peace,” said Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis.

“I am glad that we are still holding talks to try and resolve these tension and that residents from both affected communities are still meeting and coming with ways to bring peace. Also we can’t have police with guns and residents with guns, this is not possible, we must take illegal guns from people,” said Elgeyo Market Governort Alex Tolgos.

Leaders have equally been put on the spot for fuelling violence with the government saying that it will take serious action against anyone spewing seeds of discord and anarchy.