There is a need for the government to increase the number of National Police Reservists to aid in fighting insecurity cases in Turkana County.
Speaking when they appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, the Turkana County Security team led by the County Commissioner Mr. Jacob Ouma said the National Police Reservists add a lot of value to the fight against crime.
He said based on their proper understanding of the terrain of the county, NPR have greatly impacted positively on the war against crime such as cattle rustling in Turkana County.
“The National Police Reservists play a critical role in safeguarding community livestock and maintenance of general security in the far flung rural areas given the vastness of the county,” explained the County Commissioner.
The NPR guard herders in grazing fields and water points, provide armed security to the Kraals where both people and livestock stay besides providing vital intelligence to the National Police Service structure that has always helped in dealing with criminals.
Commissioner Ouma told Senator William Cheptumo led Committee how various factors have contributed to cattle rustling and banditry in the county appealing for steadfast measures to curb the vice.
Ouma revealed several reasons contributing to cattle rustling and banditry among them inherent ethnic hostility, competition for pasture, browse and water resources, boundary disputes and cultural practices.
Other reasons contributing to cattle rustling and banditry according to the county security boss are commercial interest and breach of agreements.
“Commercialization of cattle theft is steadily taking root among pastoral communities and high demand for meat and hides has pushed some individuals to engage in stealing livestock for sale in slaughter houses and livestock markets,” he submitted.
“Whenever KMC gives quotas for purchase of livestock in specific areas in the advent of drought, cases of cattle theft register a rise,” he emphasized.
The Security team enumerated various challenges hindering their proper discharge of duties among them lack of enough motor vehicles, poor network coverage, lack of modern weapons, delayed allowances for officers in operation, poor road network, hostility from host community and inadequate fuel allocation for each motor vehicle monthly.
The officers recommended an increase by a total of 1090 in the number of National Police Reservists.
They revealed that currently there are 1,125 NPRs in Turkana with 625 trained and 500 untrained.
Other recommendations were deployment of KDF along areas with Kenya borders such as Kibish, Loima and Kasarani area in Turkana East and deployment of additional Special Unit camps at Maruasi, Kamuge, Napeitom, Lokipoto and Loteteleit.
Turkana County Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai who also attended Tuesday`s meeting appealed to security agencies to enhance security operations in the County in order to give citizens a conducive environment to carry on with their daily activities.
He commended the Senate Committee on Security assuring the gathering that he will endeavor to support any measures that will enhance security in Turkana County.
He however raised concerns on harassments of Kenyans at the border by foreign forces appealing to the Committee to intervene and have the issue addressed amicably.
His sentiments were echoed by Turkana Members of the County Assembly who are members of the County Assembly Security Committee led by their Chairperson Samuel Aliwo.
Senators commended the Turkana County Security Team, Governor and MCAs for participating in the meeting promising to take up the issues raised with relevant authorities.
Senators in attendance were Baringo County Senator William Cheptumo (Chairperson), Sen. Karen Nyamu (Vice Chairperson), Isiolo County Senator Fatuma Dulo, Sen. George Mbugua, Kajiado County Senator Lenku Seki and Lamu County Senator Joseph Githuku.
By Peter Gitonga
