CS Matiang’i warns leaders against politicising crime

Interior CS Fred Matiang’i inspects a guard mounted by Administration Police officers in Narok, on Friday. [Robert Kiplagat, Standard]

Politicians in volatile parts of the North Rift have been warned against politicising banditry or risk arrest.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i who spoke in Narok on Friday when he opened the new county commissioner’s offices, termed persistent cattle theft in parts of the region, purely criminal.

Dr Matiang’i however said the government has put in place stringent measures to crack the cattle theft cartel which, he said has networks in Nairobi.

“Cattle rustling is pure crime and not a cultural practice as some want to put it. We have launched an operation that will sort out this matter once and for all,” he said.

The tough-talking CS also said the ongoing disarmament of National Police Reservists will continue and they will only be issued with guns once vetting is complete.

He said: “We shall vet those who wish to be NPR’s. We want to ensure those given guns are people of integrity.”

The withdrawal of firearms has since created sharp criticism by a section of political leaders from the affected areas, who termed the move as exposing the communities to bandits.

Dr Matiang’i also hailed the peace that has prevailed in the conflict-prone areas of Trans Mara East and West after last year’s successful voluntary gun surrender that managed to net about 100 illegal arms that were in the wrong hands.

“I would like to thank the elders, leaders and security team in Narok for cooperating to ensure that we mop up all firearms in Trans Mara; for the last four months we have not had a single insecurity incident,” said Matiang’i.