President Uhuru Kenyatta: Return firearms within 24 hours

President Uhuru Kenyatta with Baringo Senator Gideon Moi in Chesitet, Baringo County, Sunday.[PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH/STANDARD]

BARINGO COUNTY: President Uhuru Kenyatta has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Pokot raiders who killed 21 Administration Police officers to return all official firearms stolen or face the Government's wrath.

Uhuru also gave leaders and elders from the community 24 hours to hand over all those involved in the killings that occurred on Friday in Kasarani, Akoret, Tiaty constituency.

"You have only 24 hours to do as I have said or you will face the consequences of your actions," the President said.

The Head of State Sunday made a daring landing in Cheptuimet along the Chemolingot/Kapedo road amid tight security, approximately 200 metres from where three General Service Unit officers on routine security patrol were killed alongside two civilians last weekend.

"It is not everybody I want but those criminals who killed our security forces. They must be identified and dealt with according to the law and the guns must be returned to the Government.

"I want leaders from this region to stop the unnecessary blame games and assist the Government to get hold of these dangerous elements," Uhuru said.

While the President was issuing the directives, armoured vehicles belonging to Kenya Defence Forces snaked their way into Kapedo and parked at Kapedo Day Secondary School ready for the operation to flush out criminals.

Uhuru said although he has worked well with Pokots for many years politically, what the community was engaging in now could no longer be tolerated.

He also said leaders from the area had for a long time pleaded with the Government to extend disarmament exercises in Baringo in exchange for a voluntary arms handover but had never done so.

CRIMINALS' HANDS

Speaking at Lonyangapuo Primary School in Chesitet, the President told the community to ensure firearms still in criminals' hands were surrendered to security officers, before turning to Tiaty MP Asman Kamama who acknowledged the message.

"My message is one - hand over arms and it is not negotiable," he said.

In their speeches earlier, Pokot elders and leaders led by West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo and Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto pleaded with the President to give them two weeks to pursue the criminals and return the guns and uniforms.

Holding green leaves as a sign of submission, Pokot elders went on their knees promising to tackle the issue but their pleas were rejected.

"The plea by your elders for a two-week period to hand over the guns is genuine but at this point it cannot be accepted. I want the guns before tomorrow (Monday). Leaders here know where the criminals are hiding or where the guns and uniforms were taken," the President maintained.

Uhuru said those who had killed innocent Kenyans in the region would not be spared, reaffirming his commitment to fight the menace to the end.

The President, accompanied by Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces General Julius Karangi, Kenya Army Commander Joseph Kasaon, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku and Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo, warned leaders to stop inciting communities against the Government.

"Killing police officers means you have forgotten that the Government exists and that, as the President, I will not accept. There are no Kenyans more superior than others and I demand that all residents in Turkana and Baringo hostilities forthwith.

"Although Kamama insists those criminals cannot be traced because they are in the mountains, then you got it wrong. We will flush them out and deal with them once and for all, not next week but today," the President said as he turned to the Tiaty MP.

He also asked the communities not to derail ongoing drilling of geothermal power in Milima Paka and Silale, saying his government would not entertain enemies of development.

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi appealed to locals to remain calm while calling on the President to initiate development projects in the area so that locals do not feel neglected.

Gideon said the boundary issue should also be resolved urgently.