Former West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo wants the government to conduct a fresh disarmament exercise in the north rift region as the only surest way to end banditry.
Expressing his concerns over the increased killings, Lonyangapuo said people have continued to lose lives despite the deployment of KDF and other security officers to the region.
He attributed this to the return of firearms which he said are in the hands of civilians illegally.
“How is possible that at this point in time we are still discussing this problem?” he posed.
Lonyangapuo said insecurity in the region can only be ended if the government acts decisively and avoids blame games to ensure those holding such illegal weapons surrender them.
“When demand for an operation for people to return the illegal firearms, the government starts losing track and claim there are warlords or people and politicians inciting others.”
He added that should this be allowed to continue, the region risks lagging on development matters.
Early this month, West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin called for peaceful coexistence to enable learners to stay in the region and resume school.
“We are collaborating with the national government to make sure the affected schools reopen and are provided with enough security,” Kachapin said.
Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong said there is a need to beef up security in schools.
“The government promised to make sure that the schools will be reopened. We need KDF in the area. We need reconstruction of the schools,” he said.
Following banditry attacks and resultant deaths last year, the government rolled out a security operation to restore calm.
Police, assisted by the military, conducted the operation.
But some leaders have decried the government’s “lack of commitment to tackling banditry”.
They demanded for investigation of the security officers whom they claimed were abetting banditry.
Tiaty MP William Kamket said funds meant for operations against criminals were being misappropriated.
“There is need for legislative measures to safeguard the National Police Reservists Unit and redefine their roles, as well as clearer delineation of constituency and county borders to mitigate conflicts arising from uncontrolled grazing,” Kamket said.
