The government has been asked to consider changing tack in the ongoing fight against rampant bandit attacks that have rocked Kerio Valley in recent years.
According to the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (CHRD) Director Kipkorir Ng’etich, past measures that the government has taken to address the matter have failed.
Ng’etich notes that should the government stick to the old ways of dealing with bandits, their activities that have derailed development in Kerio Valley and several North Rift counties will never be stopped.
He also argues that there might be a possibility that those funding the criminal activities have a way of getting to know government actions way before they are taken.
“There has been a rise in bandit attacks and cattle rustling in the region. It is time the government changed tack and how it deals with them. If that is not done, the matter will remain a problem,” said the CHRD director.
“It looks like those criminals have a way of finding out government secrets when it comes to plans to deal with them,” added the Eldoret-based human rights activist.
Fresh killings
Calls for a change of tack on the fight against banditry come just days after the latest attack left two girls from one family dead in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
The latest attack led to a visit by the Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki to the area.
During the tour of Kerio Valley, the CS announced the government’s plan to restore National Police Reservists (NPRs).
The NPRs, Kindiki said, will be deployed to 14 bandit-prone counties. The previous administration had withdrawn the NPRs.
“The decision to withdraw the nearly 10,000 reservists abruptly and without basis has caused great loss of innocent lives and deprivation of property. The new measure will go a long way in supplementing the work of the specialized formed units in preventing and thwarting the security threats posed by marauding bandits,” the CS said in a tweet.
Reiterated the Government position to restore and even enhance the numbers of the National Police Reservists in 14 bandit prone Counties with immediate effect. pic.twitter.com/hrdFMj5db2
— Kithure Kindiki (@KindikiKithure) January 3, 2023
