The gazzetted but not operational Karare division in Saku constituency of Marsabit County will soon be made operational in a bid to bring government services closer to the residents.
Marsabit Central Deputy County Commissioner David Saruni also called on local pastoralist communities who have had their relations soured by livestock raids to coexist peacefully by embracing reconciliation and forgiveness.
Speaking during this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations held at Karare Chief’s Office Ground, Saruni said the government was keen on restoring lasting peace among residents, adding that making the division operational would accelerate the process.
Reacting to a petition from the residents led by local women’s leader Dr. Elizabeth Pantoren over the delay in operationalizing the division despite its creation more than five years ago, the DCC assured that action had been taken to achieve the objective.
The administrator added that recruitment of Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) to help boost security in the area was at an advanced stage, while a quick response unit base has been established at Reyai in a bid to stem the cattle rustling menace.
Panteron noted that the absence of an assistant county commissioner (ACC) in the area makes access to government services difficult.
“We want our division operational so that we can speed up development,” she said, adding that residents were forced to incur costs as they traveled 20 kilometers to Marsabit town for the essential services.
Her sentiments were echoed by members of the county assembly for Karare and Kargi wards, Admen Leruk and Christopher Ogom, respectively, who also asked the government to stop subjecting seekers of national identity cards from the Rendille community to vetting.
The duo said that the community is only found in the Laisamis and Saku constituencies of Marsabit County and does not share lineage with any other community in the world, as was the case with some local communities.
They emphasised on the need for concerted efforts to conserve Marsabit Forest, which they described as an important water tower.
During the occasion, the government also distributed 122 bags of relief rice to families who are still reeling under the famine occasioned by drought.
By Sebastian Miriti
