The security situation in Kerio Valley, a cattle-rustling-prone area, has improved considerably following the government’s imposing of dawn to dusk curfew.
According to government spokesperson Col. (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna, the government’s decision to impose the curfew has started to bear fruit with schools that had been forced to close due to the security situation reopening and students resuming learning as usual.
“The decision should be lauded for restoring relative peace in the region,” said Oguna.
Oguna was speaking during a media briefing that was done at Rivatex in Eldoret on Tuesday. He revealed that the sporadic incidents by criminal elements are being probed with action set to be taken on perpetrators.
Oguna’s was accompanied by Uasin Gishu County Commissioner. Oguna also said that the government was in control of the whole country’s security adding that the country is now more secure than in the past times.
He attributed this to the implementation of a dispute resolution mechanism in which local communities are implored to handle traditional issues of insecurity as opposed to in the past when the Western judicial system was used through the police and courts.
Security officers recovered guns including pistols, combat rifles, ammunition and camouflage gear during an operation conducted in the villages of Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo and West Pokot Counties.
According to the Regional Commissioner (RC), all people in possession of illegal firearms should surrender them or face arrest and their weapons confiscated.
According to the RC, once the operation is completed, communities will be involved in resuming development projects that have stalled due to banditry.
The curfew has been in place since the 7th of June 2022 and shall last for 30 days. The targeted areas include Tot ward located in Elgeyo Marakwet County which will be affected in eight locations. Chesongoch will be affected in six locations and Kapyego.
Chesuman and Arror locations in Marakwet West are also going to be affected with Tiaty sub-county, Yataya, Sibilo and Kinyach locations in Baringo North sub-county being affected in Baringo County.