Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced the establishment of at least seven new police stations in remote parts of Baringo County in a bid to address rampant insecurity within the region.
Speaking at the Kabarnet County Commissioner’s office during the Jukwaa La Usalama visit in Baringo County, Murkomen said the move has been necessitated by the fact that most areas in the county are lacking critical public infrastructures for posterity.
He noted that areas like Silale and Tirioko Wards in Tiaty Constituency have lagged behind in terms of development, therefore causing security problems for their neighbours, adding that the biggest problem is that there are no schools, no roads and no health facilities.
The CS said there is a need to open up such areas by establishing facilities that will enable residents to feel the presence of government.
He revealed plans to build at least four police stations in the area by the end of this year in order to enhance public safety and deter crime.
“I have given myself a deadline of December to come back and we have an Officer Commanding Station and other officials because we want government to be present where there is a problem rather than creating a buffer between two constituencies,” Murkomen said.
The CS was accompanied by Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr. Abdi Hassan, Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Jasper Ombati, John Amadadi (AP), Baringo governor Benjamin Cheboi, and a host of local leaders.
The CS stated that apart from the ongoing construction of security roads within the troubled areas, the government is collaborating with the Communication Authority of Kenya through a universal fund to support the locals as well as security personnel in network coverage in order to enable their communication and access to essential services.
Murkomen, while issuing an amnesty to criminals who are in possession of illegal firearms to surrender, affirmed that the government will in the next few months be very ruthless to those who have not heeded their call.
He extended an olive branch to the criminals to surrender arms for pens, where they will be offered a chance to learn skills to earn an alternative living.
Responding to media questions on the use of government ammunition by the criminals, Murkomen said there are rogue elements within the police force who are selling ammunition to the criminals and that the law will catch up with such officers.
The CS added that land demarcation will solve the conflict as most of it stems from border conflict and with each parcel having an owner with the title deed, it would be meaningless to fight for boundaries.
He also alluded to plans to put up boarding schools in the areas affected by the insecurity so as to create a bonding between the children of the warring communities, which will lead to an ending of hostilities.
Murkomen launched a mobile national identity registration unit to help register mature citizens in the area, saying over 160,000 persons in Baringo were unidentified and thus missing key government services like SHA medical cover.
By Benson Kelio and Christopher Kiprop
