By Betty Luke
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has warned Isiolo leaders against politicizing security issues as such actions could hamper the ongoing efforts to tame insecurity menace in the region.
Speaking when he appeared before the National Assembly to respond to security concerns, the CS noted that some unnamed leaders had been visiting him requesting some officers to be transfered only to later regret when insecurity sets in.
“One of the very effective police commanders was transferred after the leaders complained that he was not working. Now you all want him back because the situation has worsened,”he said adding that, “We could not have gotten to this point had the work of the police not been interfered with.”
He was responding to inquiries by Isiolo Woman Rep Mumina Bonaya on government’s plan to sustain peace post the ongoing security operation.
“We are working to ensure that we have proper mechanisms to ensure the gains made (during the ongoing operation) are sustained by setting up police and KDF training centers in the affected areas,” he said.
He added that the government was as well re-vetting National Police Reservists to ensure those hired are persons of high integrity.
CS Murkomen revealed that a total of 1200 illegal guns had been recovered following an intensified security operation in Isiolo, Samburu and Laikipia counties.
“Through the Kirimon Command center, the government has made significant progress in the fight against banditry and related issues in Upper Eastern region,”he said.
MP Mumina had also raised concern over illegal herders who had invaded parts of the county and set up settlements, with intent to later seek gazettment of the said settlements as theirs.
“There has been incidents where herders from neighbouring counties visit in search of water and pasture only to later make territorial claims,”she said.
In a quick rejoinder Murkomen noted that the government had put in measures to ensure that there was adequate intelligence reports before gazettment of any administrative unit.
The CS recently launched an intensified security operation in Isiolo, Samburu and Laikipia counties following a security meeting held in Isiolo last week.
The operation targets illegal firearms and ammunition, criminals, and individuals abetting crime in the region.
CS Murkomen directed security agencies to immediately reorganise teams on the ground to improve response to emerging threats.
He added that the operation would also focus on opening new security roads and working with other stakeholders to enhance network coverage in insecurity-prone areas.
Murkomen noted that the prolonged drought in pastoralist regions has heightened resource-based conflicts and cattle rustling, warning that the situation risks rolling back gains made under previous interventions, including Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU).
