About 600 Rangers Trained and Recruited into Police Reservist to Enhance Security in Narok

NAROK, Kenya, Dec 8 – A total of 592 former County Rangers have been recruited into the National Police Reservists (NPRs) and deployed in Narok County.

Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo on Thursday December 8 said the officers will help in dealing with banditry, poaching, perennial human-wildlife conflict, illegal logging, and environmental degradation.

The newly recruited officers will be under the command of the Narok county police commander.

The PS said the National Police Service has provided 464 guns to replace the Mark 4 rifles.

The county government, on the other hand, has procured operations vehicles and the salaries for reservists.

The former Rangers underwent paramilitary training at police, Kenya Wildlife and Kenya Forestry Services training colleges before they were vetted and equipped.

“The NPRs have been vetted and approved by the County Security team and trained to take up the new mandate. They will be expected to strictly adhere to the National Police Service Act as well as the Service Standing Orders,” the PS said.

Dr Omollo has directed that the firearms must be utilized for the correct purpose.

“This is a model we want to employ in the rest of the country, particularly in counties with similar challenges like Narok,” the PS said.

The PS however cautioned the recruits against misusing their positions and resources in their custody to harass citizens, or being used to settle personal or political differences.

“Any cases of indiscipline or misuse and/or abuse of the firearm issued today will be met by the full force of the law,” he warned.

Dr Omollo has also urged the local government officials to ensure those engaging in teenage pregnancies, early marriage and female circumcision face the law.

“We must change this trajectory and ensure that our girls are able to go through school so that they can be people like we are today,” he said.

The event was also attended by the Principal Secretary of Tourism, Narok Governor, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner, and the Chairman of the Administration and Internal Affairs Committee of the National Assembly.