Gideon Moi asks Asman Kamama to quit security team job

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi Wednesday called on Tiaty MP Asman Kamama to relinquish the National Assembly Security Committee chairmanship to pave way for an effective security operation in Baringo.

Gideon said the operation would not be effective with the legislator still in charge of the committee, adding that Kamama had done nothing to address insecurity in Baringo.

He said the MP, if allowed to continue chairing the committee, would compromise the operation to evict bandits and illegal herders who are members of his community.

Speaking at Bartabwa in Baringo North yesterday when he visited internally displaced persons, the senator trashed claims that he was opposed to the operation.

"What is going on in social media that I went to court in pursuit of orders to bar the operations are total lies. I said during the meeting with principals in Baringo that the operation should go on, I backed it up and even asked leaders from Baringo to allow the Government do its work," Gideon said.

"What is happening is just propaganda to tarnish my name. (Let me) put it clear that the bandits should be arrested to restore law and order."

The Kanu chairman said although some leaders from the Pokot community affiliated to Kanu had opposed the operation, they were not talking on behalf of the party.

"You should know that I am the driver and whatever they say does not mean that they are representing my opinion. You should also be in a position to verify such information. Let the operation kick off but Kamama should resign... for the operation to be successful," he added

He accused the Government of being lenient on bandits, saying that since the operation kicked off a week ago, none had been arrested and dismissed Deputy President William Ruto's recent visit to the region.

"The Government is doing a public relations exercise, we have not heard of any arrest so far. We want to see all the culprits brought to book as happened in Laikipia where more than 300 bandits have been arrested following the killing of a Briton," he said. He criticised the Interior ministry for being reluctant in addressing the perennial problem, saying efforts to curb insecurity in the past had failed.

"I have in the past contributed Sh3.8 million to facilitate the purchase of a new security chopper for surveillance in Baringo only to be curtailed by the same leaders and professionals who are throwing stones at me now," Gideon said.

He also called on the Government to demarcate land in the region so that people get title deeds.