Following incessant banditry attacks in Ethi location, Mukogodo East in Laikipia, residents are appealing to the government to deploy National Police Reservists to heighten security.

Speaking in Ethi location and Graton in Mukogodo respectively during a public baraza with local leaders, residents lamented that lack of enough security officers provide room for bandits to raid villages with impunity.

“We barely sleep because after two days, our cattle are stolen. We believe after airing our grievances, the insecurity issue will be addressed,” said Susan Mumbi, a resident. Mumbi expressed fears that bandits have become bolder to an extent of robbing local administrators at gunpoint, citing the recent theft of livestock belonging to area chief.  Residents have since threatened to flee their homes if the insecurity menace is not addressed swiftly.

“They are fearless since they have guns and with the situation we cannot respond to distress calls from our neighbours. We call on the government to intervene as the bandits are driving away our only livestock that was left after the drought,” she urged.

At the same time, locals urged Ethi police post to be upgraded into a police station as a move to boost security in Mukogodo.

Laikipia East Assistant County Commissioner Phoebe Mukami said the government would not rest until the insecurity situation was addressed.

Local leaders, led by Laikipia East Member of Parliament Mwangi Kiunjuri and his Laikipia North counterpart Sarah Korere assured residents that the insecurity menace would be addressed.

Korere said the government would increase NPR in all the affected areas of Laikipia North to tame banditry attacks and livestock theft.

“We want our youth to be given NPR guns to protect you and we will defeat them. Those who are involved in buying stolen cattle will also be nabbed, so I urge you to work with us in  the fight against banditry,” Korere noted.

On his part, Kiunjuri said they were aware of the challenges and warned that they will catch up with the bandits. “We are investigating. We know where the problem is and those involved. When we start eradicating the banditry, don’t complain since you failed to report culprits,” he said.

                                -KNA