Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap has stated that the government has never had a systematic way of fighting bandits in Baringo.
Speaking during the Citizen daybreak show on Wednesday, Makilap said the mentality on the talk about additional counties is part of an expansion of bandits especially in areas rich in natural resources.
"The traditional cattle rustling has undergone a lot of metamorphosis over time to a state where the bandits are guarded by retired security officers, experts, professionals which has also transformed to commercial practices," the MP said.
He further stated that there has never been an operation in Baringo in the recent past and whatever has been happening was reactionary patrol whenever an incident happens.
"There has never been a systematic operation to remove guns from bandits, that kind of operation was done some years back when Moi was the president," he added.
Makilap also said that after bandits move residents away from a particular area, they occupy that place, rename it and ask for an assistant chief to be posted there.
"When you look closely at the area of Baringo South, people have moved sixty kilometres away from their original border and it has been renamed, another assistant chief deployed and these are some of the reasons why they say they want an area that is rich in the pasture,"the legislature said.
He also said that the attack on the GSU camp in Kapindasum village in Baringo South on Tuesday was meant to evict the GSUs and occupy the place.
Despite receiving advice from leaders where banditry is a problem, the National government and the Ministry of Interior have been unable to resolve the issue.
He therefore urged the Ministry of Interior to work hand in hand with the government to ensure security in that area is restored.
The National Government's neglect of the reservists was a weak link as it opened an avenue for possible collaboration with bandits.
Even after the voluntary surrender of firearms that has taken place in that area, there are still more guns and other weapons in the hands of criminals.
Despite heavy police presence in the area, bandits have continued to attack, kill and rob residents before retreating to forests, escarpments and caves from where they monitor the public and security personnel as they plan for more attacks.
