Ex-IG Kimaiyo asks Uhuru to intervene in Kerio Valley attacks

Former Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo. [Wilberforce Okwiri/Standard]

Former Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo wants President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene and bring to an end to deadly clashes in pastoralist counties in the North Rift.

Mr Kimaiyo (pictured) asked the President to appoint a task force to establish the cause of renewed banditry attacks that have left 30 people dead in recent months.

The former IG said the conflict, which has affected residents of Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo and Turkana, had morphed from cattle rustling to inter-ethnic revenge killings.

"What is happening in Kerio Valley is no longer cattle rustling. Politics is involved. There seems to be an attempt to displace populations in the region to pave way for land grabbing," said Kimaiyo on the telephone.

He warned the bloodletting could worsen if the State fails to take decisive action, noting that political leaders in the affected counties lacked the will to end the attacks.

“I am challenging MPs from these counties to boycott sittings in Parliament to protest the lawlessness. How can you sit in Parliament when your people are being killed daily by criminals?” he asked.

Kimaiyo noted that the conflict had led to low enrollment in six schools: Kamelei A, Kamelei B, Kalya, Tenderwa, Kabero and Liter primary schools.

The former police boss said it was worrying that human rights organisations had remained quiet as the killings and livestock theft continued unabated.

“The security problem in Kerio Valley has been ignored as if nothing is going on. The attacks are the worst in history."

Kimaiyo appealed to the international community to intervene and help the Government win the war against insecurity.

In the latest attack four days ago, three men were shot dead in Marakwet East Constituency following a clash between herders and bandits.

Chief Joseph Lokanda said armed bandits believed to be from neighbouring West Pokot ambushed a group of herders at Chepkorowo grazing field and opened fire, killing two of them on the spot.

Mr Lokanda said one bandit was shot and killed in the gun fight.