Names of people on the spot over Kapedo chaos
Wycliff Kipsang @wsang08
Several Rift Valley politicians and other prominent personalities are being investigated over their role in the rampant banditry attacks in the region.
Regional Coordinator George Natembeya yesterday said they have already launched investigations to establish wether senior Government officials, security personnel and prominent individuals were behind the bandit attacks in the region, including the troubled Kapedo at the border of Baringo and Turkana.
“Those found culpable irrespective of their status or position in society will face the full force of the law. We will not tolerate any form of lawlessness,” warned Natembeya.
He warned chiefs in Tiaty sub-county, where armed bandits are suspected to be coming from to identify the culprits or face the sack.
He spoke as word went round that Tiaty legislator William Kamket and Silale Ward Member of County Assembly Nelson Lotela had been summoned to appear before the Directorate of Criminal Investigations detectives at their Nakuru offices this week.
The two, who are under investigations over recent attacks in Kapedo, have been summoned to appear before the sleuths for further interrogation.
Kamket, who was arrested last week in connection with the attacks, is out on Sh100,000 bond. He was ordered to appear before DCI detectives on Friday.
Lotela, who was also grilled in Nakuru by DCI officers at the weekend, is to report back to the detectives Thursday.
Contacted, Kamket confirmed he had been summoned to appear before the DCI on Friday. “Yes, it is true. I have been compelled to appear before them on Friday,” he said
Investigations and a series of interviews by People Daily have established that most livestock stolen during the raids are never recovered.
Security experts are now calling for regulation of livestock markets in the region to help combat trade in stolen animals.
Cattle rustling
According to a former senior military officer, Colonel (Rtd) Moses Kwonyike, both serving and retired soldiers and provincial administrators, especially chiefs should be investigated.
“Ordinarily, these are civil servants who should be assisting the government to identify where livestock which pass through their locations after raids go to,” said Kwonyike.
He said counties prone to cattle rusting including Baringo, Turkana, Laikipia and Samburu should come up with receipts, which will bear the name and phone number of chiefs where the livestock come from before being sold.
