MP dismisses claims of militia in constituency

From left:Baringo County Governor Benjamin Cheboi and his Samburu counterpart Moses Lenolkulal

Tiaty MP Asman Kamama has dismissed claims of the presence of Pokot Defense Forces (PDF) militia in his constituency. The MP who is also the chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on National Security termed the claims as social media propaganda.

Mr Kamama who has in the past been blamed for the cattle rustling meted out by bandits believed to be from his constituency, challenged intelligence agencies to probe the claims.

"There have been claims of the presence of a militia known as PDF, which is said to be based in Riong'o and Naudo. I want to confirm to you that there is nothing of that sort," he said.

The MP, speaking at a joint peace meeting between leaders and elders from Baringo and Samburu counties in Amaya, wondered about the motive behind the propaganda.

He called on security agents to deal with the youth behind the social media pages that fuel conflict between pastoralists communities.

The Pokot and Samburu communities, he said, should co-exist peacefully and engage in meaningful economic activities such as livestock business and end perennial conflicts.

Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Osman Warfa who attended the meeting, called on those with illegal firearms to surrender them to the local chiefs and police stations, failure to which, they would face forceful operation.

"Bunduki sio kijiti wala sio fimbo (a firearm is not a walking stick). Anyone with a firearm from today, should surrender it to the the relevant authorities before we come for it," warned Mr Warfa.

He called on the political leaders, elders and chiefs from the two communities to establish pasture and water committees in order to curb conflicts during dry seasons.

Peace committees

"Grazing committees should be formed. There should never be a situation where one community invades the others' pasture without prior knowledge of the elders. Such invasions are what lead to conflicts," said Warfa.

Other leaders present included governors Benjamin Cheboi ( Baringo) and Moses Lenolkulal (Samburu) and nominated Senator Naisula Lesuuda.

MPs Lati Lelelit (Samburu West),  County Woman Reps Maison Leshoomo (Samburu) and Grace Kiptui (Baringo), county commissioners Peter Okwanyo (Baringo) and Joshua Nkanatha (Samburu) reiterated the importance of peace among pastoralist communities.

Governor Cheboi called on the national government to channel more resources to pastoralist communities to enable them access basic commodities like water, which are believed to be the cause of conflict.