LAIKIPIA, Kenya, Mar 4 – Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua held a high-level meeting of leaders and security chiefs of Laikipia to strategise on ending the rampant insecurity in the county which has claimed lives and property.
At the Sunday evening meeting of political, National Government Administration Officers, security officers, County Executive members, religious leaders, the business community, Members of County Assembly, opinion leaders among Gachagua cautioned that security matters are not negotiable and laxity will not be tolerated.
“We want 100% security for our people. Even a single life lost is too much. People here have lived in fear for far too long and this is unacceptable. I ask the new County Commissioner (Onesmus Kyatha) and your team to put your heads together with the rest of the security agents,” he said.
He told the security officers that the Government can no longer sit back as criminals rape, kill and steal livestock.
“The Government has brought you here for a job. The job is simple. Secure our people. Make sure, our people sleep in peace; make sure women do not live in fear of being raped or girls being defiled; our men must not sleep outside guarding their families,” the deputy president said.
The Deputy President announced an additional 250 National Police Reservists (NPRs) to boost security in the troubled county.
Further, he pledged that operational and logistics will be addressed, and asked the County Commissioner and Police Commander John Nyoike to work with political leaders. He asked the political and religious leaders and the community to support the security officers.
“I want to ask our men and women in uniform. Be good people and live to your oath of office. When the leaders or the community, give you information, guard it with your life; these bandits are dangerous. If you protect the confidentiality, you will have a lot of information to make your work very easy. I ask leaders to continue engaging the officers,” the Deputy President said.
Earlier at Ng’arua the Holy Family Catholic in Laikipia West and at two security meetings, Mr Gachagua said the development potential of the county has been hurt by rampant insecurity and the Ruto Administration will not allow this to continue.
He said President Ruto has to be supported by all so that he can implement the 2022 promise of ending insecurity in the county.
The Deputy President said he saw no reason or difficulty for security officers’ failure to end attacks against the people there, recalling that he served in Ng’arua as a District Officer in 1998, at the height of ethnic animosity and attacks, but worked with the security agencies and the community, restoring sanity in the then troubled region.
“We told the people that if they elected Dr Ruto President and Rigathi Gachagua as his Deputy, matters of insecurity will end. We intend to keep that promise. We know the formula; it is possible. There is no room for discussion.
It will not be good for any officer who intends to come in between our plans. There is no transfer of lazy officers,” he said.
Mr Gachagua said the people of Laikipia must enjoy peace and security as long as there is a government in place.
In an engagement with the public at Matuiku Township, Mr Gachagua told the County Commissioner Kyatha and County Police Commander Nyoike to flush out criminals harassing residents. The two officers committed, publicly, to work and deliver as instructed.
“We cannot allow the people to be harassed when you have weapons and other resources of the Government. People must sleep peacefully, not keeping vigil over insecurity. We have a responsible Government in place,” the Deputy President said.
Mr Gachagua said the people of Laikipia are hard working, but insecurity continues to impede their work.
He said the government is investing in irrigation and other infrastructural developments for full realisation of the socio-economic potential of the people.
On the other hand, the Deputy President said the National Government is committed to ending human wildlife conflict to avoid loss of lives and livelihoods due to stray animals from the Laikipia Conservancy.
“I ask the MPs to review the laws to allow for the National Police Service to complement the Kenya Wildlife Service in containing the wildlife,” he said at the Ngarua Church.
The Deputy President also asked the security agencies to put more effort into eradicating illicit alcohol, drugs and substance abuse in the County.
Principal Secretary for Defence Patrick Mariru said security agencies are under instructions to eliminate the criminals.
Leaders present called for unity behind President Ruto to enable him deliver development as promised to the people.
“We thank the Deputy President in ensuring insecurity has been addressed. We can see the positive strides that have been taken,” Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu.
Emurua Dikirr Johana Ng’eno asked the Mt Kenya leaders to support the Ruto Administration fully.
“Let us give time for the President and the Deputy President to work for Kenyans and deliver on their mandate and stop unnecessary and premature politics.
The Deputy President also visited St Marys Mwenje Secondary School and made a Ksh 5 million donation for completion of the school dining hall.
He said the Ruto Administration prioritises education and it will continue upgrading infrastructure to improve the learning environment.
