County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos has regretted the deteriorating security situation in Kerio Valley and asked the government to deal decisively with the menace.
Tolgos said his legacy was to exit the office, upon the expiry of his two terms as per the constitution, and leave a peaceful and prosperous Kerio Valley.
“I am calling on the government to restore peace in the region. At least in my remaining eight months in office, I can take pride in the elusive peace. My administration had initiated mega-development plans for the region but has since stalled because of insecurity,” he said.
The county boss said as, among leaders in Kerio Valley, he supports any measures by the government to restore order and was ready for any peace meetings convened.
“We need decisive action that would end insecurity because we need development to thrive. I join calls for the reinstatement of police reservists but their welfare should be well catered for. A fraction of what is given to other security officers should be allocated for the police reservists,” said Tolgos.
Speaking in Tot during a peace meeting graced by Rift Valley regional coordinator Maalim Mohammed, the governor also asked police to use the law to weed out the criminals hiding in the communities.
Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Woman Rep Jane Kiptoo, Gender CAS Linah Kilimo, and security chiefs drawn from Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, and West Pokot counties attended the meeting.
Mohammed said the government will begin a disarmament exercise in the region after two weeks and asked locals to surrender all illegal firearms before the end of the period.