Turkana County Commissioner Muthama Wambua has said the government will not allow insecurity cases to return into the County and warned bandits that they would be dealt with ruthlessly.
Speaking during the launch of the Covid-19 accelerated vaccination campaign drive in Nakwamekwi in Lodwar, Wambua said the government would not sit back and watch as bandits impoverish residents by stealing their livestock.
He was responding to two cases where bandits raided Kainuk, in Turkana South Sub- County and stole 70 goats which were later recovered by security officers. The incident occurred at 4 am, Thursday morning.
“Officers from the Anti-Stock Theft Unit and Regular Police intervened and returned the stolen livestock,” he said.
In a separate incident, tension was high along the Turkana- Baringo border following a series of attacks and counter attacks.
According to Wambua, one man from Turkana County who had gone missing on Tuesday was found dead on Wednesday.
The incident triggered a revenge mission where one trader from Tiaty, Baringo was kidnapped and robbed off Sh74, 000 in Lokori, Turkana East Sub-County.
This led to a counter attack on some Turkana traders who were also kidnapped at the border of Turkana and Baringo.
Wambua said security officers engaged the communities and the traders from both communities were released and Sh74, 000 returned to its owner.
He said he would not allow bandits to impoverish the residents by using guns to steal livestock. “The bandits have in the past killed police officers, we shall not spare them if we find them,” he said.
Speaking on the Kainuk incident, Turkana South Sub-County Police Commander, Robert Kibuchi, said they received a report on the attack and responded swiftly to the matter and managed to recover the animals.
“We responded quickly and we were able to recover 75 goats and were taken to Kainuk Police Station so that owners may go to identify their livestock, there were no casualties,” said Kibuchi.
He added that operation is going on to pursue the attackers who according to the residents, headed towards Mosol area in West Pokot County.
According to the Turkana South Police Boss, the area had been at peace for more than two years.
The County Commissioner issued a stern warning to civilians aspiring elective seats of arming their bodyguards with lethal weapons.
He said the security agencies would arrest any politicians who arm their bodyguards and charge them for attempting to commit crime.
The CC said some of the politicians were hanging out with sharpshooters meaning they had hidden weapons.
Last December Police in Lodwar arrested a 45-year-old man for being in possession of a firearm, ammunition and an assortment of other goods meant for security agents.
According to Wambua, the man identified as Peter Lolimo, is associated with a senior County Government Officer.
“A search in the house revealed a Luger Pistol with a fully loaded magazine, pistol holster, American jungle uniform, several pairs of uniforms belonging to different disciplined services in the country and a pair of handcuffs,” National Police Service said in a statement.
Wambua said the politicians will carry their own cross for associating with criminals and challenged them to do due diligence before employing people as their bodyguards.
He noted that the government has enough security officers to guarantee the politicians of their safety during political meetings.