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Fourteen counties under the North Rift Economic Bloc (Noreb) have urged the national government to deploy police officers in the notorious Suguta Valley to flush out a deadly criminal gang.

They said  residents of Baringo, Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet have borne the brunt of frequent cattle rustling and banditry attacks in the hands of the armed gang.

Speaking at in Eldoret on Wednesday after holding a five-hour closed-door meeting over the security situation in the region, the governors, led by Josphat Nanok (Turkana), asked the State to deploy officers in the Valley to restore sanity in the region.

Nanok said bandits had turned Suguta Valley into hide-out after committing criminal activities that include stealing of livestock and killing of innocent people and police officers stationed in the volatile region.

Other county chiefs at the meeting that was also attended county executive committee members of the respective regional governments were Stephen Sang (Nandi), and Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu).

“We are appealing to the national government to deploy police  in Suguta Valley and flush out a criminal gang that has been terrorising residents and security personnel stationed on the volatile border of Baringo, Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet counties,” said Nanok.

The county chiefs hailed the government for improving security in counties of West Pokot, Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo which previously experienced deadly incidents of banditry and cattle rustling menace.

They said  the counties which had been mapped as insecure following spate of attacks by armed bandits was now a haven of peace due to ongoing security operation in the region.

Jackson Mandago who is the chairman of Noreb said  agricultural projects that had stalled after local farmers deserted their farms due to vicious attacks by bandits had now resumed.

The governors also resolved continue with peace meetings to ensure the security situation improve to enhance development projects rolled out .