Poghisio Faults Security Operation in Kerio Valley

By Emmanuel Oyasi,

Former West Pokot County Senator Samuel Poghisio has termed the security operation that is being conducted at the borders of West Pokot County and the neighboring counties of Baringo, Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet as not meeting the expectations.

Speaking in an interview with the media, Mr. Poghisio said that despite the presence of heavy security in those areas, the killings of innocent citizens carried out by bandits are still being reported.

“Even if the government says that the security operation has been relatively successful, I think it has not achieved its goals because killings are still being reported,” said Mr. Poghisio.

In addition, Mr. Poghisio faulted the government for spending huge amounts of money in the purchase of weapons used by security officers in the operation that he mentioned as not bearing fruits.

He instead suggested that the money would be used to implement development projects in the respective areas to improve lives of the residents, which he mentions as a solution to the problem of insecurity.

“The government spent a huge amount of money to buy weapons used in the operation. That is not bad. But I think that money would be used to implement development and better the lives of the locals. This will be the solution to this problem,” he said.

The former senator’s call comes a few days after governors from the affected counties held talks to address the worrying trend.

Notably on 2nd April 2024 ,Governors Simon Kachapin of West Pokot, Wesley Rotich of Elgeyo Marakwet, and Benjamin Cheboi of Baringo County met in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County to address the longstanding issue of cattle rustling and insecurity plaguing the Kerio Valley region.

They resolved to implement cattle branding as a proactive measure to curb the menace.