Tension remains high in Turkana as GSU deployed

Ole lenku     PHOTO:COURTESY

By Lucas Ng’asike

Tension remained high in Lorogon village, Turkana South District even as Government deployed  General Service Unit (GSU) officers by chopper to rescue hostages.

At least 30 GSU from Anti terror unit were reportedly airlifted to the village reported to be under siege.

More than 600 families have been trapped in Lorogon village for a week after over 300 heavily armed Pokot bandits surrounded the village making difficult for the village to access water and food.

Turkana County belongs to them and wants the Turkana community living in the area moved out.

Efforts by the Kenya Red Cross to transport relief food and other supplies to the village have been frustrated after the bandits blocked the road with heavy logs.

Turkana South Sub County commissioner Elijah Kodoh said the conflicts revolves around the border, which Pokot and Turkana each lay claim. Mr Kodoh said the village has remained inaccessible by road and Kenya Red Cross Society could not transport food to the area due to huge trunks of trees that have been placed on the road.

“We are in the middle of the crisis because the food has not yet reached the victims. Bandits have blocked the road using trees, dug trenches and placed huge stones on the road making it difficult  for food to reach the victims,” Kodoh said.

VICTIMS’ HEALTH

Area MP James Lomenen said GSU officers were forced to use fire to penetrate the village.

The MP said the health of the victims has deteriorated especially children, women and the elderly after they went hungry for a week.

The legislator added that children have become emaciated for lack of food and called for immediate medical intervention.

Turkana Senator John Munyes called on all security organs to penetrate the village to so as to assess the situation of victims.

The leaders accused area West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo for allegedly inciting Pokot warriors against the Turkana community.

Security sources said the Senator was spotted near Kengen Power plant addressing armed Pokot youth in Turkwel gorge.

A former Lorogon civic  leader John Aule raised fear the armed Pokot youths were regrouping to scuttle the food distribution plans.