Saitoti and Iteere advised to resighn over clashes

Locals stage a demonstration at Loruk Centre on May 07, 2012 protesting banditry and cattle rustling in Baringo North constituency by a neighbouring community that has left at least two people dead, schools closed and scores displaced.

An assistant minister wants Internal Security minister George Saitoti and Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere to resign for failing to contain insecurity in Baringo County.

Justice assistant minister William Cheptumo said the two should be held responsible for the conflict between Tugen and Pokot communities that has claimed seven people and displaced 12,000 others in the cattle rustling-prone Bartabwa Division.

The clashes are said to have been sparked by cattle rusting.

“If the government cannot guarantee our people their security, they better be issued with firearms so that they can protect their lives and property. It is a shame that 49 years after independence, bandits still terrorise innocent Kenyans,” said the Baringo North MP.

Speaking on Wednesday during a visit to families camping at Terenin, Barbarchun, Kalabata, Chemindany, Maregut, Kuikui and Kampi Nyasi, Mr Cheptumo said the displaced were living in deplorable conditions and called on the Red Cross to open food supply centres in the affected areas.

“Livestock, a major source of livelihood to our people, has been stolen by the armed raiders and many people have now been rendered paupers. How long will this continue for the government to act?” he asked.

Mr Cheptumo said the most affected villages were Chepkesin, Chemoe, Kapturo, Kapkechir, Kalabata, Kaborion and Kamwetio.

He said that security personnel based in Bartabwa Division had not been of much help to the residents as they lacked equipment to deal with armed bandits who had superior weapons.

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Mr Cheptumo stressed the need for an Anti-Stock Theft Unit post to be set up at Chemoe to stop clashes between the two communities.

He said that leaders from the Tugen community were ready to negotiate with their Pokot counterparts to find a lasting solution to the conflict.

He dismissed claims by Rift Valley provincial commissioner Osman Warfa that leaders from pastoralist communities were to blame for inciting their communities to war.

He urged him to deploy more security officers on the porous border.