Raila: We’ll hang bandits to free Isiolo

Azimio-One Kenya Alliance presidential candidate Raila Odinga has promised to hang bandits terrorising the northern parts of the country, saying he would not allow them to continue subjecting Kenyans to incessant attacks, if he wins the August 9 poll.

Speaking in Merti, Isiolo, where he took his campaigns yesterday, Raila promised to end banditry, saying all Kenyans would be secure under an Azimio government.

He said he would ensure security was returned to banditry-prone areas within 100 days of taking power.

“We will stop them from attacking Kenyans every day. We will make this area secure. Our priority is security for all. You cannot go up and down killing our people. We will look for you; we will arrest you and hang you,” said Raila.

Bandits have made some areas in Isiolo inhabitable, especially on the border with neighbouring counties, from where they launch one attack after another.

Kerio Valley in the Rift Valley has also become a bastion for bandits who roam the area killing everyone in sight, including children under 10 years and women.

The outgoing Jubilee government has struggled to contain these attacks, despite deploying more security officers.

The Azimio leader, who is battling for the top office with Deputy President William Ruto and two fringe aspirants, said the runaway insecurity in Isiolo and neighbouring areas was because of attempts by some people to grab zones endowed with minerals and wildlife, after displacing locals.

“Our people must sleep peacefully at night, knowing they will wake up in the morning without being subjected to the horrors common here. Our number one priority is security, the number two is security and number three is security,” he said.

Economic zone

Most of the northern counties are prone to banditry, a vice that has interfered with development programmes. Raila added that he would make Isiolo a special economic zone and a tourism centre.

The region is endowed with great potential that needs to be exploited, he said, adding that he had overseen the construction of many roads in the area. He promised to initiate more projects if elected president.

“You will see great development here,” he said, but warned that his government would not acquire properties from speculators who had rushed to the area and acquired pieces of land on realising that multi-billion projects would be started.  

Local leaders asked Raila to ensure the security challenge was dealt with so that  residents can live without fear of attacks.

Former Governor Godana Doyo, who is seeking to recapture the seat as an independent candidate, said locals were frequent targets of armed bandits. He urged Raila to return peace to the area, if elected.

“Our people have become prey to our neighbours, who attack frequently. We are requesting you to stop these attacks once you get into office. We are tired. We know that if you win the elections, our people will not die needlessly anymore,” said Doyo.  

Others in the race to replace outgoing Isiolo Governor Mohamed Kuti, who is not defending the seat on health grounds, are former Nairobi Majority Leader Abdi Guyo (Jubilee), former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission chief executive Halakhe Waqo (ODM), Hussein Tene (UDA), Kenneth Turibo Maore (PNU) and Kimaita Machuguma (Safina).

Increase allocation

Waqo also told Raila to make the security of Isiolo residents one of his priorities if he ascends to power. Leaders who accompanied Raila urged the locals to vote for the best candidate, who would turn around the region’s economic fortunes and increase the annual allocation to counties.

“(Kenya Kwanza presidential flag-bearer William) Ruto opposed the new Constitution in 2010, while Raila fought hard to ensure it was promulgated. The Constitution brought devolution which we are enjoying. Raila will ensure more funds are allocated to the counties if he becomes the next President”, said Peter Kenneth, a former Gatanga MP who is in Raila’s campaign team.

Central Organisation of Trade Unions secretary general Francis Atwoli poured cold water on Ruto’s bottom-up economic model, saying the economy cannot be built that way; but rather from top to bottom.

The Azimio team later addressed rallies in Garba Tulla.