Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has directed security agents to dismantle all criminal gangs operating along the border of Narok-Kisii counties with immediate effect.
Murkomen said criminals groups, goons and youths have been usurping the government’s role of providing security to locals and terrorising them in the process.
He made the remarks during a peace meeting in the Kiango area, in the border of Kisii and Narok counties, that has been experiencing clashes over cattle theft.
“I call on the local security apparatus to disband these outlawed groups who have been terrorising residents and intimidating them to abide by them so that their security can be guaranteed,” the CS said.
The CS also challenged residents to dismiss local leaders or individuals keen on dividing them on tribal basis and sparking insecurity.
The clashes that started about two weeks ago, were prompted by the theft of three cows. It saw groups of youths from both sides of the border attacking each other with machetes, bows and arrows and other crude weapons, leading to the deaths of three people.
While condemning the violence, Murkomen instructed the police to immediately arrest those behind the theft that triggered the conflict.
“Those who stole the cows should be arrested and charged before the court of law because they caused insecurity among these communities,” he said.
The CS called on the Maasai and Kisii communities to continue living in peace and avoid incidents that can escalate violence.
“It’s disheartening to see people who have co-existed for many years engaging in unnecessary fights. That should not be allowed to happen again,” Murkomen said.
He said the government is currently procuring 5,000 vehicles for the police service to boost security in the country.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba urged the two communities to embrace dialogue and desist from activities that may further escalate the violence.
Narok Woman Representative Rebecca Tonkei underscored the need for dialogue to foster peace, saying insecurity will affect the livelihoods and economy of residents.
Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli called on the government to operationalise new administrative units to make it easier to maintain peace.
The legislator said he would partner with leaders from the two counties to launch a peace tournament to build peaceful coexistence among the communities in the region.
