By Lucas Ng’asike
Prime Minister Raila Odinga has ordered withdrawal of security officers manning oil exploration sites in Turkana North District.
Raila said there was no need to deploy several security personnel to man the sites yet insecurity was worrying greater Todonyang residents, along the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
The PM, who addressed hundreds of residents in Lowarengak and Todonyang on Tuesday, said it is the work of security personnel to protect lives of Kenyans instead of focusing on other interests.
“Those security officers who have been deployed at oil exploration sites should be withdrawn and deployed to the border point to protect residents threatened by Merille militiamen,” said Raila.
The PM was referring to BGP oil exploration company in Lowarengak-Lomulango camp, whose oil exploration sites are heavily guarded.
Raila added there was no need to deploy officers to guard the sites at this initial stage when exploration was still going on. “Security of the people is more significant than oil resources. What are they protecting even when we have not seen any substantive results of oil reserves at sites in Turkana,” the PM said.
Joint demarcation
Raila further ordered deployment of Marine Police along Lake Turkana.
He accused the officers of making technical appearances in the area. The officers are based at Kalikow in Turkana Central District.
The PM said Kenya and Ethiopia have agreed to conduct a joint border demarcation next month.
