Centre for Human Rights and Mediation (CHRM) director Nick Omito has challenged the government to put in place measures that will ensure security is restored in Kerio Valley.
Omito notes that the current wave of attacks in the region is worrying.
Speaking to the press in Eldoret town, the human rights activist says if action is not taken, the region will end up with many widows and orphans – which amounts to human rights violations.
“We fear the region will end up with many orphans and widows if security is not restored,” said Omito.
Leaders in the Kerio Valley region have said for the past 5 months, at least 80 people have been killed as a result of bandit attacks.
They have been calling for the deployment of the military to deal with the bandits, a call the CHRM director fully supports.
But according to Omito, the attacks in the region are fueled by illegal livestock business.
“The government needs to arrest those involved in the illegal livestock business. The way they did in Mount Elgon, the military should be sent to the area,” he said.
The human rights activist has also noted that the government will have to compensate families whose loved ones have been killed or injured due to the attacks.
He says it is the duty of the government to ensure its citizens are secure.
“Watu ambao wanaumia ni lazima serikali ilipe fidia kwa sababu ime fail katika jukumu lao la kutoa usalama,” said Nick Omito – translated to “for people that are suffering, the government must compensate them because it has failed in its duty of providing them with security.”
Omito also faulted threats by Interior and National Coordination Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Mating’i that he will gazette Pokot Warriors as an outlawed organization.
“Serikali haiwezi kuwa inaachilia watu wanaumia ikisema itapigga marufuku makundi ambayo hatujui badala ya kupeleka maafisa wa usalama kureesha hali ya kawaida,” noted the activist.
