The ongoing disarmament operation in parts of Baringo will continue despite the current COVID-19 pandemic, the County security team has said.
Speaking at Kabarnet on Wednesday after a County Security committee meeting, area County Commissioner (CC), Henry Wafula reiterated that the operation to mop up illegal guns will continue.
“After all the bandits themselves have been attacking even during the COVID-19 period so they should not expect us to wait for Covid-19 to end, we will continue dealing with them either with COVID or not,” assured the CC.
He also warned politicians against politicizing security issues in the county saying they will face the full force of the law.
“I want to warn the leaders, whatever their position, that I would arrest anyone of them bringing politics into the issues of insecurity affecting the county and charge them in court,” warned the commissioner.
He also warned those using social media to abuse others that their days are numbered as they may be sued for contravening the new cybercrime act.
The CC also outlined the sectors that are likely to benefit from the national government economic regeneration program outlined by the President recently. They include health, education, roads as well as tourism and small scale businesses.
The committee through the County Police Commander, Robinson Ndiwa also gave a progress update on the ongoing security operation where they have recovered 25 illegal firearms in Tiaty.
“We have also arrested four criminals and we are calling on members of the public that may have fallen victim to cattle rustling and banditry to come and identify them so that they may be prosecuted,” divulged Ndiwa
He said that the operation being carried out was intelligence-led and that no innocent member of the public would be harassed by security personnel.
“We have the names of the criminals and we are going after them one by one,” added Ndiwa.
He said that the main focus is on Tiaty area and then they would move to Baringo North and South for the guns purge. He added they have names of suspects whom they are zeroing in.
The operation to mop up the illegal guns which have been causing residents sleepless nights started on the 5th of May.
Local leaders in the county have been at loggerheads with the security heads, blaming them for not stamping out cattle rustling which has led to the loss of lives and property as well as displacement of many people from their homes.
In late April, the leaders led demonstrations against the CC calling for his removal, claiming he had failed in ending insecurity in the area.
By Christopher Kiprop
