Arrest cattle rustlers, DP Ruto tells police in Kerio Valley

Deputy President William Ruto has urged the Pokot and Marakwet communities to live in peace and harmony while questioning the inability of police officers to arrest the perpetrators of cattle rustling.

Addressing the residents during a meeting held at Tot World Vision grounds in Marakwet East Constituency on Friday, the deputy president raised questions over the failure by police officers in Kerio Valley to arrest the perpetrators of cattle rustling.

“How come residents in the area know the names of those involved yet no arrests are made?’ he posed.

He assured the residents that the government was recruiting 3,200 Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) who will be deployed to the hotspot regions to boost the capacity of police officers already on the ground.

“It is pointless to have police officers in shopping centers while criminals are attacking people from known valleys. Police must be stationed where criminals are coming from,” said Mr Ruto.

He sent a warning to cattle rustlers saying the government would not hesitate to administer harsh punishment to those who will be caught in the act.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaisery assured the residents that he would initiate forceful disarmament of individuals with guns in the region if they fail to have them registered with their county government.

West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin, who was also in attendance, requested the residents to work together with the government in tracking the cattle rustlers.

Other leaders who attended the meeting included MPs John Lonyangapuo (West Pokot), David Bowen (Marakwet East), Susan Chebet (Elgeyo Marakwet), Lati Lelelit (Samburu East), Philip Rotino (Sigor) and Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett.

Also in attendance were Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet), Moses Lelnokulal (Samburu), Simon Kachapin (West Pokot) and Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo) and former MP Linah Jebiii Kilimo.

Written by Lucy Akinyi