Boinnet called on the residents of the areas affected to offer information to police that may lead to arrest of those behind the killings. Photo/ FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 9 – Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet says a major operation is currently underway in areas affected by cattle rustling after more than 50 people were killed in Nadome area in Turkana County.
He has warned that any person found in possession of illegal firearms will be deemed to be preparing to commit a crime and will be dealt with firmly as per the law.
In a statement to Newsrooms on Saturday, Boinnet called on the residents of the areas affected to offer information to police that may lead to arrest of those behind the killings.
“I am appealing to the residents to cooperate with security agencies and share any information which will assist the police,” he stated. “I urge all leaders at all levels to preach peace and sensitise their people of the importance of resolving disputes of any nature through the established legal channels.”
He also denied allegations that Deputy Inspector General in charge of Kenya Police Grace Kaindi and the Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Osman Warfa were attacked during their recent visit in the affected area.
“It is therefore misleading to publish any information to the effect the two officers were attacked,” he lamented.
This comes as Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok accused the Government of laxity in handling the security situation in the county.
“I am one Governor who has been shouting the loudest on the issue of insecurity but my plea has always fallen on deaf ears. It’s quite unfortunate that the government has had to wait until a massacre of this magnitude happened, to act,” Nanok complained.
“Since this massacre happened, I have not said a single word to Kenyans. I have been wondering how my words can help now, if the many words through press statements, phone calls and other negotiations were ignored by the national government that is in charge of security. I still believe that if this government listened to my pleas and the community’s cry, lives even those of children and women would not have been lost.”
He said the situation may worsen if the Government fails to find a lasting solution for the County where killings by bandits have become a norm.
“We will soon tell the Turkana story of genocide that has happened under the watch of this government for the whole world to know,” he cautioned.
“But before we tell this story, can the government get serious and end these killings? The laxity and the manner in which the national government is handling insecurity and conflict issues along Turkana, West Pokot and Baringo Counties, is unacceptable. I believe the people in Turkana just like other Kenyans have a right to protection as enshrined in the constitution.”
He noted that, “The killings that have happened along this corridor that have left children orphans, women widows and men widowers, is genocide that no one is telling the world.”
Deputy President William Ruto on Saturday asked leaders along the Kerio Valley to be at the forefront in spearheading peace among communities living in the region.
Ruto said leaders in the area were well placed to end insecurity problems occasioned by cattle rustling activities by preaching peace and harmonious relations among communities in the area.
The Deputy President said security was a collective responsibility where all Kenyans must participate in order to get rid of criminals’ elements living amongst them.
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