Ruto charts security deal for North Rift

Deputy President William Ruto (left) shakes hands with Baringo Senator Gideon Moi during a meeting attended by leaders from Samburu, West Pokot, Turkana and Baringo counties at his Karen office. [Photo: DPPS]

The Government has now stepped in to address the runaway insecurity in the North Rift region following a public outcry over border clashes and cattle rustling, which have led to loss of lives.

This comes a day after the opposition weighed in, accusing the Jubilee administration of sleeping on the job instead of guaranteeing the security of citizens.

Thursday, Deputy President William Ruto held a consultative meeting with leaders from the four counties of Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo and Samburu in a bid to find a lasting solution to insecurity in the regions.

The meeting at the DP’s Karen office that brought together senators Gideon Moi (Baringo), John Munyes (Turkana), Sammy Leshore (Samburu) and John Lonyangapuo (West Pokot), among other leaders, saw them commit to peaceful co-existence.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, Principal Secretary Monica Juma, Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett, Rift Valley Regional Co-ordinator Osman Warfa and county commanders from the troubled regions also attended the meeting.

In resolutions read by Turkana West MP Daniel Nanok, the leaders agreed to cease hostilities, convene peace meetings beginning next Monday, explore ways of solving boundary disputes and cattle rustling menace.

Special police units

The leaders also called for immediate reopening of all schools closed due to cattle rustling.

Other resolutions were involvement of religious leaders in search for peace, recruitment and deployment of KPR, establishment of special police unit to to deal with rustling, establishment of police posts, irrigation schemes, schools, health centres in areas prone to menace and establishment of ministry to deal with issues of pastoralists.

This comes ahead of a visit today by Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader Raila Odinga in Nadome, Turkana.

“We have been discussing on how to live harmoniously with one another. As leaders, it is our role to foster peace amongst our constituents. We have committed to henceforth engage people in peace talks to address the cross-border clashes,” said Senator Moi.

The DP’s intervention comes at a time the opposition has scheduled visits to assess the situation on the ground.

Ruto condemned the attacks by rustlers that have caused loss of lives of innocent Kenyans and said the raids must come to an end.

He told the leaders that there were enough resources in the region that could take care of the locals’ needs if fully exploited instead of engaging in cattle rustling activities.

“I have said and will continue to say that those who believe in stealing other people’s cows and property must look for another business to do or another country to live in,” said Ruto.

Governors Simon Kachapin (West Pokot), Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo), Josephat Nanok and Moses Lenolkulal (Samburu) said leaders should work together in fighting insecurity.

Mr Nanok said leaders should be honest with each other in dealing with security challenges caused by banditry and cattle rustling.

 Parliamentary Committee on Security chairman Asman Kamama called on the leaders to stop the culture of blame games and work together in solving the problems.