Police reservists are among 9 arrested over the killing of three people in inter-clan clashes in Mogil, Elgeyo Marakwet County
Nine people were arrested over an incident in which three villagers were killed in what police termed as inter-clan clashes in the Mogil area, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Police said the nine include five members of the National Police Reserve and two National Government Administration Officers.
They were detained for grilling after they were mentioned in the clashes in the area that had experienced a lull of attacks.
The attack on January 2 left three people dead and many displaced.
A team sent to the ground said the attacks had been linked to inter-clan clashes.
The team said there was no link to cattle rustling which is common in the area.
The Kerio Valley region is experiencing a lull from gun attacks linked to cattle rustling due to measures put in place to address the menace.
President William Ruto visited the area on Sunday, January 5.
He announced the government’s efforts to ward off threats against the country have borne fruit and will continue until every part is secure.
The President said in addition to dealing with banditry in the Kerio Valley, the government will ensure that health facilities, schools and other social amenities are restored in the region.
He said the government will reopen schools that were closed during the period the region experienced severe insecurity and banditry.
“In the next three months, all the schools must be reopened and all children must be back to school,” he said.
Governor Wesley Rotich said the newfound peace and stability in the Kerio Valley is unlocking the region’s economic potential.
“This region has never contributed to the country’s economy for the past 40 years because of insecurity,” he noted.
West Pokot's Simon Kachapin called on leaders to nurture peace and co-existence among the various groups living in the Kerio Valley to ensure sustainable harmony.
In December 2024, officials said at least 172 illegal firearms had been recovered in ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift.
The operation has also seen a significant drop in cattle rustling cases.
“The operation has led to a 62% reduction in the number of
cattle rustling occurrences, with cases dropping from 63,054 stolen livestock to 23,668—a
decline of 39,386 heads of cattle.”
“Notably, 172 illegal firearms were collected during mop- up exercises and 10,173 livestock have been recovered,” a statement said.
During the same period, 250 suspects, including 14 political leaders, were arrested and prosecuted.
Launched in February 2023, Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift is a government security initiative that targeted escalating banditry, cattle rustling, and violence in nine counties including Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Marsabit, Laikipia, Isiolo, and Meru.
Hot spot areas in these counties were designated as “Disturbed” and “Dangerous,” in the operation that brought together the National Police Service (NPS) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in a coordinated effort to restore peace and stability in the region.
To strengthen local security, the government has restructured the management and command of the National Police Reservists.
In 2023, a total of 1,702 reservists
were recruited and trained in Baringo, Samburu, Laikipia, Meru, Turkana, and
West Pokot.
At least 400 reservists in Elgeyo Marakwet and in Isiolo, were re-armed to supplement the ongoing security operations in the area.
To enhance governance and improve service delivery, the Government gazetted 126 new administrative units across Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, Meru, and Laikipia Counties.
This initiative is aimed at strengthening local administration, improving resource allocation, and enabling a more effective response to security challenges.
According to the ministry, uninterrupted learning was experienced this year with candidates sitting for their KPSEA and KCSE exams without any security challenges.
A budget of Sh100 million was allocated to rehabilitate 34 out of 39 schools closed due to banditry-related violence and displacement.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has played a crucial role in this reconstruction effort and to date, 26 schools have reopened and at least 4,000 children went back to school marking a significant step towards recovery.
