Newly deployed Laikipia County Commissioner, Joseph Kanyiri, has vowed to crack the whip on farm invasions and cattle rustling in the region.
Kanyiri, who regretted that the recent skirmishes that had rocked the region were derailing development, said the government will not relent on dealing with those who were fueling clashes.
Speaking during this year’s International Day of Peace celebrations at Rumuruti stadium Laikipia County, the Commissioner affirmed the government commitment to restore peace in the region adding that more security officers had been deployed to affected areas to help restore calm and normalcy.
“As a government we won’t relent on dealing with those who will be found inciting others to cause violence. We won’t allow people to disrespect other people’s property, either by forcefully grazing into their farms or stealing livestock,” he said.
“The day we are celebrating today has come at the right time when our county was hit by series of violence. We must learn to coexist and take it as personal responsibility to foster peace,” he said.
A series of chaos and clashes has rocked various parts of the county among them Rumuruti, Ol Moran and Wangwachi that have left about 12 people dead, dozens displaced and several houses torched in the last one month.
Kanyiri hinted that the government will soon recruit more chiefs and their assistants to help bring services closer to residents especially in the newly created Kirima sub county.
“The government is also planning to recruit more police reservists to help boast security in this region. We are appealing to those who will be recruited to take the job like any other job. We don’t want to hear that someone is returning a gun to the government the next day after deployment,” he added.
Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, lamented that the violence that were being witnessed in the county was keeping away investors denying them investment worth millions.
“The whole world and Kenya knew that Laikipia is an ideal place for investment but other elements want to spoil this good name. The clashes that rocked our county badly affected our investment chances as no one can invest in a place that has been in the limelight because of violence,” regretted the county boss.
He said that Laikipia County was a cosmopolitan county and called on residents to accept to walk together in building peace. “Let us learn to respect the rule of law, respect to private property and coexist together,” he said.
By Anne Sabuni
