Wycliff Kipsang @wsang08 

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS)  Fred Matiang’i has issued a one week ultimatum to all herders in possession of illegal firearms in the troubled Kerio Valley to surrender them. 

Matiang’i who held a security meeting at Tot yesterday ordered the administrators in the area to immediately work with police and identity all criminal elements wreaking havoc in the region.   

Troubled region

“We will no longer condone any form of lawlessness.  Just surrender or we come for you as we have the capacity to come for you,” said Matiang’i accompanied by Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai and top Rift Valley regional security team. 

He said security teams in the troubled region will be redeployed and a special formation established, to deal with runaway banditry which led to the killing of 12 people in two weeks alone. 

The security meeting which was also attended by three governors from the troubled region among them Stanley Kiptis (Baringo), John Lonyangapuo (West Pokot) and Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo-Marakwet) also resolved that a special Deputy County Commissioner be deployed to the area. 

“Peace is not brought about by guns and bullets. Peace is brought about by the commitment to coexist peacefully with one another, “said the CS who lauded local leaders for their commitment to preach peace. 

The CS tour of the region comes amid fresh hostilities among warring communities in the region which led to the death of 12 people in two weeks alone. 

The killings have been happening despite the ongoing intensive security operation in the neighbouring Tiaty sub-county to flush out armed criminals. 

The massive disarmament is being carried in the insecurity prone Ameyan, Paka, Silale, Nadome, Kapau, Chesitet and Kapedo.