MPs want Kenya Police Reservists officers given back guns

By Silah Koskei

Kenya: A section of MPs from Turkana County have called on the Government to return guns that were recently confiscated from Kenya Police Reservists (KPR).

They argued that the disarmament by the Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo had left residents exposed to external attacks.

Speaking separately at several peace meetings, Turkana South MP James Lomenen and his Turkana East counterpart Nicholas Ngikor said the Government should keep its word and return the guns to KPR.

AP killed

Lomenen, who led a meeting at Kaptir village, noted that the recent incident which saw one Administration Police officer killed at Nakwamoru area leading to the disarmament of seven KPR officers had left the region vulnerable of other attacks.

“The Government’s action is worrying and untimely because it comes at a time when there have been numerous attacks from the neighbouring community,” he said.

Citing the recent attack which occurred at Kaptir location where five people were killed, Lomenen said the region currently has only four KPR officers who cannot discharge their duties effectively as they don’t have firearms.

Broker peace

Lomenen called on Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo to ensure the guns are returned to the KPR officer.

He also called on President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto to help broker peace between the warring Turkana and Pokot communities.

“Uhuru and Ruto hold the key to ending the ethnic clashes as the orders given are usually not effected,” he said.

But in swift rejoinder, Turkana South OCPD Kipsang Changach said the firearms were taken away from the KPR officers as part of investigations into the killing of an AP officer.

“The guns are currently in Nairobi where ballistic tests are being done to establish if the KPR officers may have been involved in the killing of the AP officer. They will be returned after investigations are over,” he said.