The Rift Valley Regional Commissioner (RC), George Natembeya who is on a three days visit to Turkana County since Monday has assured county residents of their security even as the government continues with recovery of all firearms in the hands of civilians.
Addressing the press in Lodwar on Tuesday morning, Natembeya said so far 203 guns have been recovered. He added that the number was still low compared to the arms in the hands of civilians.
He noted that Turkana south sub county has been responding well and challenged other Sub Counties, including Turkana North, Kibish and Loima to follow suit.
“We are assuring all residents that they need not fear because we are putting in place adequate measures to ensure they are not exposed to attacks from the neighbouring communities and countries,” said Natembeya.
He said the government would deploy security teams like Rapid deployment units and general service units in areas prone to attacks as well as specialized equipment and armored vehicles to be stationed in areas prone to insecurity.
At the same time, the RC, who was accompanied by senior security officers from Nakuru and Turkana counties, including the County Commissioner (CC), Muthama Wambua and the County Police Commander (CPC), Samuel Ndanyi said those with illegal firearms would be forcefully disarmed once the amnesty period elapses.
“At the moment the voluntary recovery of firearms is open but this will not go on forever. After the amnesty period elapses, we shall forcefully disarm those with illegal firearms and arrest them,” he warned.
He said the government was alive to the concerns of the locals among them fears of being attacked by armed neighbours once they were disarmed saying it has taken measures to secure the locals.
On national police reservists, Natembeya said the government is in the process of vetting the national police reservists who would be trained and stationed in areas prone to insecurity to work with other security officers.
Locals have been complaining after the NPRs were disarmed. There were also concerns that some of the NPRs were abetting crime instead of helping restore law and order.
By Peter Gitonga
