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In the recent weeks, Kerio Valley has witnessed a rise in cases of cattle rustling among the Marakwet, Tugen and Turkana communities mostly committed by bandits from Tiaty in Baringo County.
The courage with which cattle rustlers are operating gives an indication of an invisible powerful hand.
For the past few weeks, the people of Marakwet, Tugen and Turkana have not experienced peace as raiders attack to steal their cattle.
It defeats logic that common poor people can be up in arms against their neighbours. They must be receiving help from people higher up in government.
Kenyans have a right to protection of their lives and property under the Constitution. Yet in Kerio Valley, that right appears to have been suspended.
The Executive does not seem to understand the seriousness of the situation. Pronouncements by the Executive that Kenya is a peaceful country gives the word “peace” a different meaning for the people of Kerio Valley.
As things stand currently, these people cannot go about their daily activities for fear of cattle rustlers from Baringo. Tens of then have been brutally murdered. Those killed include a clinical officer at Chesongoch Mission Hospital and two primary school pupils last weekend.
It is even believed that the some of the bandits use government guns and ammunition, with the finger of blame pointed at rogue National Police Reservists. Government guns are registered and monitored, but in this region, they are misused with impunity.
It complicates matters even further that as victims of banditry cry out for help, elected leaders of communities accused of banditry take to the floor of the Parliament to defend the activities of the bandits. The leaders don’t want peace because they will lose their livelihood from cattle rustling.
The NPR officers are meant to maintain peace, and this worked well for many years. However, repulsing bandits by the NPR seems to have angered some elected leaders.
During the peaceful years, when the NPR were really working, there was much improvement and development in Kerio Valley. It is sad that leaders are now calling for fresh vetting of the individuals who have been keeping the bandits at bay.
The government needs to intervene urgently to restore normalcy. Also, elected leaders need to be investigated, especially those busy defending the bandits. The extent of damage and loss of innocent lives is enormous. It is a gross violation of their human rights.
COSMAS RUTTO LOTIRGHOR, Kerio Valley
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