Leaders on Saturday from areas affected by cattle rustling have continued to pile pressure on the Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS), Dr. Fred Matiang’i to reinstate the National Police Reservists (NPR).
Led by Senate Majority leader, Kipchumba Murkomen, the leaders have questioned the rationale behind the disarming of the NPRs, saying they were playing a crucial role in maintaining peace and order in the areas.
“Police reservists are not civilians. They are part and parcel of the police force. Dr. Matiang’i should read the police act very well,” he said.
Murkomen said that police reservists knew their areas very well and therefore help in protecting and combating the cattle rustlers together with the mainstream security agencies.
He called on the CS to rethink the directive and make consultations in future before making such a decision that affects the lives of Kenyans.
The Elgeyo Marakwwet Senator termed the Tiaty constituency as a very dangerous area and called the area Member of Parliament, William Kamket to lead his constituents away from the vice.
“Cattle rustling is very painful thing that has continued to hit our area. Only yesterday a Tot Secondary school student was shot and killed by the rustlers. That’s a young innocent life lost,” said Murkomen.
Weighing in on the matter was Baringo North Legislator, William Cheptumo who asked the CS to go and read the National Police Act which recognizes the NPRs as an integral part of the police.
“Saying that NPRs are ordinary citizen is a lie and for that we ask the CS to go and read the Police Act very well,” said Cheptumo.
He said the NPR complemented the police as they know the locality well and could tackle the enemy.
He claimed that since their disarmament, insecurity has escalated in the region with attacks that had gone down coming back.
The same sentiments were shared by Baringo Governor, Stanley Kiptis who urged the government to fast track on the vetting and training of NPR so as to restore tranquility in the region.
“There were bandits hiding in the community and they should be brought to book,” added the governor.
The Mochngoi Ward Member of County Assembly, Kipruto Kimososp called on Matiang’i to tour the cattle rustling areas or resign.
He asked the MPs to summon the CS over the disarming, as the guns were helping the citizens to protect themselves.
“The CS is playing the 2022 politics and he should stop playing with people’s lives. We have seen the government acting so fast on other insecurity matters be it in Kakamega or elsewhere but this one for cattle rustling no one is bothering,” said the MCA.
However, the Water CS, Simon Chelugui who regretted the recent killing of a herdsman in the area said the executive was handling the matter and would revisit the approach that was used to disarm the NPRs.
“Other than the political approach, we at the executive are discussing it and we think the approach taken may need to be review it so that people are not exposed in the process of disarmament,” reassured the CS.
The leaders were speaking at Sandai Primary school in Baringo South during the funeral of the mother to the area Member of Parliament, Charles Kamuren on Saturday.
They eulogized Teriki Kiptek Kamuren as a dedicated mother who gifted the people of Baringo South their current MP.
The deceased who was born in 1927 is survived by seven children among them the Baringo South Legislator.
Among the mourners were several elected and appointed leaders from Baringo County, including Irrigation Principal Secretary, Fred Segor, Mogotio MP, Dr. Daniel Tuitoek, his Eldama Ravine Counterpart, Moses Lesonnet and several directors of parastatals.
By Christopher Kiprop
