Turkana senator James Lomenen (pictured) has called on the government to deploy additional security personnel to arrest insecurity in Turkana South sub county.

 “We request the Ministry of Interior to hasten recruitment and deployment of National Police Reservists (NPRs) to the affected areas with immediate effect,” he said.

 He also called upon the President to declare bandits as terrorists and mobilize Government apparatus to flush out the terrorists who have made part of Turkana South uninhabitable.

 He condemned the recent burning of schools and destruction of houses in several villages of Kaputir Ward by armed gunmen from Baringo and West Pokot Counties.

 He termed the attacks as disturbing and heartbreaking as he recounted how on January 28 the bandits set ablaze classrooms at Lokwar and Nakuse Primary Schools.

 Border security

The schools have since been closed in Nakuse, Lokwar and Lomerimudang area of Kaptir Ward, with residents forced to flee for safety.

 He added that on January 27 while the CS for Interior Kithure Kindiki visited Nadapal in Turkana County for a cross border security meeting, Pokot bandits attacked Lokwar village and killed three people. “This was an insult and direct provocation to the Government,” he said.

Lomenen recounted how on January 11, bandits raided Lorogon village in Turkana South, destroyed Nadome ECDE classrooms and vandalized people’s properties.

The insecurity and banditry attacks has affected school opening and transition in Turkana County. In addition, bandits have destroyed important government facilities that are a source of livelihoods for the residents of  Kaptir.

                                                              – KNA