Turkana senator James Lomenen has called on the government to deploy additional security personnel to arrest insecurity in Turkana South sub county.
“We request the Ministry of Interior to hasten recruitment and deployment of National Police Reservists (NPRs) to the affected areas with immediate effect,” he said.
He also called upon the President to declare bandits as terrorists and mobilize Government apparatus to flush out the terrorists who have made part of Turkana South uninhabitable.
He condemned the recent burning of schools and destruction of houses in several villages of Kaputir ward by armed gunmen from Baringo and West Pokot Counties.
He termed the attacks as disturbing and heartbreaking as he recounted how on January 28, 2023 the bandits set ablaze classrooms at Lokwar and Nakuse primary schools.
The schools have since been closed in Nakuse, Lokwar and Lomerimudang area of Kaptir Ward, with residents forced to flee for safety.
He added that on January 27, 2023 while the CS for Interior Kithure Kindiki visited Nadapal in Turkana County for a cross border security meeting, Pokot bandits attacked Lokwar village and killed three people. “This was an insult and direct provocation to the Government,” he said.
Lomenen recounted how on 11th January 2023, bandits raided Lorogon village in Turkana South, destroyed Nadome ECDE classrooms and vandalized people’s properties.
The insecurity and banditry attacks has affected school opening and transition in Turkana County.
In addition, bandits have destroyed important government facilities like water pumps, beehives, demonstration-farms and agricultural stores that are a source of livelihoods for the residents of Kaptir. The residents have been massively displaced while bandits have taken over the area.
“The cowardly attacks sponsored by evil-minded land expansionists continue to erode efforts put in by leaders to find a long lasting peace and socio-economic development in the region,” he said.
He said the Turkana people were disarmed by the Government but the process was not carried out to the rightful conclusion in the neighbouring communities.
He urged the Ministry of Interior to deploy enough security personnel in the area in order to provide security and oversee smooth opening of schools and learning in the area.
County commissioner Jacob Ouma has said security officers have been deployed to flush out the bandits.
By Peter Gitonga
