Thursday, the 15th of November 2012 -The Kenyan DAILY POST has had a glance upon Internal Security Minister Katoo Ole Metito’s official statement on the police killings in Baragoi and what the government is now doing to bring the culprits to book. In it the Minister gives a full account of the events that led to last Saturday’s shoot out between police officers and the bandits.
There are few revelations in the statement itself but it makes for interesting reading for anyone concerned about the state of insecurity in the country. We have reproduced the statement below;
i.Background of the attack
• Samburu County is made up of three districts namely; Samburu Central, Samburu East and Samburu north districts.
• The county is inhabited mainly by the Samburu and Turkana communities although other communities are also represented in the major towns
• The main economic activity is pastoralism with livestock being then name source of livelihood
• On security dynamics, the area is prone to cattle rustling which takes the following dimensions;
• Samburu County is made up of three districts namely; Samburu Central, Samburu East and Samburu north districts.
• The county is inhabited mainly by the Samburu and Turkana communities although other communities are also represented in the major towns
• The main economic activity is pastoralism with livestock being then name source of livelihood
• On security dynamics, the area is prone to cattle rustling which takes the following dimensions;
a) Attacks between Samburu and Turkanas living in Samburu County
b) Attack between Samburus and Borans in Isiolo County
c) Attack between Samburus and Pokots from Baringo County
d) Frequent raids by Samburus in Meru County in Tigania East, Imenti North and Buuri Districts,
• These pastoralist essentially have illegal firearms which they have acquired over time from neighboring countries of South Sudan , Ethiopia Somalia.
ii. Situation analysis
• On 10th November, 2012 a team of security officers comprising of Kenya Police, Administration Police, General Service Unit, Ant-Stock Theft Unit and the Kenya Police Reservists while pursuing stolen livestock were ambushed by suspected Turkana bandits at about 8.00 am in Lomerok area, Nachola Location, of Samburu North District.
• Intelligence information leaked to the benefit of the bandits leading to heavy causalities on the side of the police.
• During the incident, twenty four (24) police officers and eight (8) Kenya Police Reservists were shot dead, while three (3) police officers and one (1) police reservist sustained gunshot wounds.
• In addition, five (5) police officers and two (2) police reservists had soft tissue injuries and were flown to Nairobi on Sunday 11th November, 2012, for treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital. They are in stable condition.
• On 14th November 2012, two (2) police officers were found alive, though five (5) police officers are still missing.
iii. Action taken by Government
• On 12th November, 2012 the Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security convened a meeting with leaders from Samburu and Turkana to address the matter and they agreed to advocate for harmonious and peaceful co-existence between the two warring communities.
• On Tuesday 13th November 2012, His Excellency the President chaired the National Security Council meeting. This meeting directed that all security organs to liaise closely in restoring peace and security in the area.
• In this connection, the Council authorized the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to be deployed in Samburu County and other areas to provide support to Kenya police services in apprehending the bandits and recovering stolen animals and arms.
• The National Security Council also directed the fast tracking of peace, reconciliation and disarmament exercises in all the affected areas countrywide.
• Arrested a councilor, two (2) Chiefs and two (2) Assistant Chiefs and charged them in court
• Dispatched additional aircrafts to locate the bandits and assist in the rescue efforts.
• Mobilized an additional six hundred (600) security officers for deployment in the area to conduct an operation.
• The following have so far been arrested and arraigned in court;
a) One (1) councilor by the name Lawrence Lorunyei of Nachola Ward
b) Two (2) chiefs ,namely; Sammy Amojong Lothuru of Kawap Location and Christopher Epuk Kokarach of Nachola Location
c) Two (2) assistant chiefs namely; Ewoi Losike of Nachola sub location and Jeremiah Ekurao of Nakuwei
• We are now in pursuit of two (2) councilors who participated in the attacks namely ; Councilor Paul Edapal and Councilor Sospeter Erupe who happens to a an Ex-GSU Inspector.
iv. Way forward
• This incident has revealed the need to upgrade police equipment for better response in the future. This will require the government to procure; specialized vehicles, specialized aircrafts equipped with surveillance equipment and ammo
• I assure Kenyans security agencies with the help on military aerial surveillance are doing everything within its ability to arrest the bandits and have them charged for robbery with violence and the thirty three (33) government firearms covered.
• This operation is targeting criminals not innocent citizens or a particular community
• Members of the public should volunteer information on;
a) the perpetrators
b) financiers
c) persons processing illegal firearms
• Members of the public should not panic and start relocating.
HON. KATOO OLE METITO, EGH, MP
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PROVINCIAL ADMINSTRATION
AND INTERNAL SECURITY
15th November, 2012
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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