Natembeya: I will crush cattle rustlers in North Rift

The new Rift Valley Regional Coordinator George Natembeya(right)with Bishop Julius Nalamai after farewell prayers at his residence. [Robert Kiplagat/Standard]

The newly appointed Rift Valley Regional Coordinator George Natembeya has vowed to crush the rampant insecurity in the pastoral North Rift counties.

Mr. Natembeya revealed that his first assignment is to mop up the illegal arms in the hands of civilians.

Addressing Journalists at his residence in Narok town during a farewell prayer by local cleric, the administrator vowed to restore sanity in the cattle rustling prone region.

  "My first assignment will be to ensure that residents of Baringo, Elgeiyo Marakwet, Samburu and Turkana who have never known peace to witness harmony for the first time,"pledged Natembeya.

The no nonsense immediate former Narok County Commissioner has however asked those with illegal firearms to start surrendering them.

Natembeya is credited for fighting Female Genital Mutilation(FGM)through threatening to conduct 'examination' of the girls’ genitalia every school opening days in a bid to curb the rampant vice.

The new rift valley sheriff also successfully managed to mop up the illegal firearms in volatile Transmara where over 100 arms were surrenders resulting into lasting peace in the area.

The local church leaders led by Narok Pastors Fellowship Chairman Bishop Peter Nakola congratulated the administrator on his promotion and hailed the achievements he made in the county during his short stay.

"Under his leadership this county realizes peace and tranquility. He also passionately fought for the rights of our girl's such as FGM,early marriages and teenage pregnancies. We shall truly miss him here," said Bishop Nakola.

Natembeya also pledged to work with leaders,elders and the clergy in ensuring that peace is realized in the rustling-prone North Rift counties.

"We shall work together with leaders from all the warring sides to ensure that peace is restored. If the negotiations will fail then we shall use necessary force given by the law to restore sanity,"he added.

On the secret to his strict nature, Mr Natembeya said he was simply implementing government policy to the latter and will continue doing so.

Over the years Baringo Turkana,West Pokot, Samburu and Elgeyo Marakwet have been experiencing insecurity.

The latest incident is where former Kapyego MCA Benson Kiptire was kidnapped and murdered in cold blood and his body dumped in a forest in West Pokot county.