Political leaders in Samburu County have criticized the national security organs for failing to curb the continued criminal activities in the region.
The leaders noted that the security agencies do not arrest, prosecute and jail those found committing crimes like cattle rustling and banditry.
“Such vices may never end if the government does not take a stern action against those found culpable, some crimes cannot be solved in the same manner one resolves domestic wrangles,” said the leaders.
They are now calling upon the national government to beef up security in the county to prevent loss of lives due to such criminal activities.
The Samburu women representative, Maison Leshoomo and area governor Moses Lenolklulal asked the government to ensure that suspects behind the recent attacks in which people have lost their lives have been arrested and charged before court.
“What is causing insecurity in Samburu is lack of action by government to arrest; as leaders of this county we would like to see criminals arrested so that they can be punished for the crimes they have committed,” Lenolkulal said.
This appeal comes barely one week after a 13-year-old girl was shot dead at Morijo area in Samburu north Sub County by unknown people.
“The Morijo attack incident where a standard five pupil was shot dead by criminals while in her parents’ house is saddening and as leaders we strongly condemn that,” Lenolkulal said.
On her part, Leshoomo said hunger in some parts of the county could contribute to insecurity and she urged government to supply relief food to the affected areas in the county.
“Drought has forced people to move with livestock from their villages in search of pasture and water due to the ongoing drought and there is hunger, we have written letters to the PS, asking for food because people are suffering,” she said.
The leaders were speaking at Yare area in Samburu central sub county during a prayer ceremony for youths who will be travelling to Germany to showcase Samburu culture and represent Kenya as well.
The leaders thanked the Ministry of Tourism for the initiative which they said will benefit people from the region.
“We thank Tourism cabinet secretary for visiting here and giving a chance for our youths to travel to Germany and we want this to continue everywhere because our people are not talented in athletics, football or boxing but they are talented in cultural singing hence they should be given that chance to represent the country as well,” Leshoomo said.
She asked the tourism ministry to increase the number of people who will be travelling to foreign countries to represent the country in traditional singing and dances from the county.
“Make sure next time you have included women and men who are talented in playing instruments,” she said suggesting that there ought to be a competition in order to select the best talented people to benefit from the program.
Governor Lenolkulal pledged to look for more sponsors to ensure that the program is sustainable for the in future years.
“We will look for more stakeholders to sustain this program in the coming years and to those travelling to Germany you ought to represent us well so that this opportunity may open doors for other things in the coming years,” the governor said.
By Robert Githu
