Residents of the bandit-prone Kerio Valley want the government to lift a curfew imposed on the region.

Speaking to People Daily yesterday, they said many residents might not exercise their democratic right to vote, and urged the State to lift the dusk-to-dawn curfew on election day.

“We appreciate that the curfew has assisted in restoring sanity in the troubled region but it should be lifted for some days to allow people to cast their votes,” said Richard Chepchomei, a resident of Bartabwa in Baringo North.

 Runaway insecurity

The government imposed the dusk-to-dawn curfew following runaway insecurity that claimed at least 100 lives in six months. The curfew affects Tiaty East and Tiaty West sub-counties, as well as Bartabwa Ward and Saimo Soi in Baringo North, including Ng’orora, Kinyach, Sibilo and Yatya locations.

It also affects many parts of Marakwet East and West sub-counties.

Leaders from the region, led by Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos and Baringo North MP parliamentary seat candidate Joseph Makilap, yesterday acknowledged that the security measures introduced by the government were bearing fruit.

On Monday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i (above) and Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Maalim Mohammed said security would remain tight throughout the election.

 period.

“Measures should however be put in place to ensure that all residents in the region exercise their democratic rights as enshrined in the constitution,” said Mr Makilap.

According to governor Tolgos, the security measures should be sustained throughout the election period but added that it should not restrict residents from accessing polling stations they had registered.

“Our people should be provided with enough security so that they will be able to freely participate in the elections,” said governor Tolgos.

The residents are proposing that the curfew should be lifted and instead extra security personnel deployed to the porous region.

On Monday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Maalim Mohammed on Monday said security would remain tight throughout the election period.

“We’ve deployed additional security personnel to the banditry prone areas in the North Rift and we assure residents that everyone will exercise their democratic right on election day,” said Mr Mohammed.

According to Dr Matiang’i, more than 300 additional police officers are taking part in the ongoing security operation in the Kerio Valley region.

He said several suspected criminals have been arrested and more than 100 illegal firearms seized in the security operation.

“The government is committed in safeguarding the lives and properties of all residents in the region. We will increase our surveillance and patrol along the borders of this region and neighbouring regions,” Dr Matiang’i.

“Residents should be calm and confident that we will go ahead with elections without any problems,” he added.