Isiolo leaders being probed for abetting insecurity - County Commissioner

A section of Isiolo leaders and politicians are being investigated for allegedly abetting insecurity in the region, County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding has revealed.

The senior administrator singled out an unnamed politician who he said was notorious for dissuading residents from surrendering illegal firearms in their possession and defending criminals from one of the local communities.

He said while the majority of the leaders and local elders were committed to working with the security agencies to end the menace, some were frustrating efforts to achieve lasting peace between local communities and their neighbours.

"Some of the leaders have been lying to our people telling them not to surrender illegal guns in their possession and have been defending criminals for political survival and relevance in their communities. They are masters of doublespeak. We will ruthlessly deal with them like criminals," Omoding said.

He further appealed to residents not to support leaders or politicians hellbent on jeopardising the government's efforts to ensure a safe and secure Kenya.

Omoding announced that more than 40 illegal firearms had been surrendered in the last five months following joint efforts by the security team, national government administrators, local elders and leaders.

He hailed community elders in the Oldonyiro ward that neighbours Samburu County for denouncing cattle rustling and encouraging local Morans to surrender illegal firearms to the State.

"Some 45 firearms have been surrendered since January, out of which 40 are from Oldonyiro and the rest Daaba in Ngaremara ward," he said during the Madaraka Day celebrations at Isiolo town police grounds.

Omoding implored residents to voluntarily surrender the guns or risk forceful disarmament, saying guns in civilian hands were a threat to the security of the public.

"If we find you with a gun, you must also surrender the animals you supposedly stole using it and face legal action for lives you could have claimed with the weapon. Why keep the firearm if you have no ill motive?" he posed.

Leaders present led by Deputy Governor James Lowasa, MCAs Salesio Kiambi (Wabera), Nicholas Lorot (Burat) and Francisco Letimalo (Nominated) hailed the security team for improved security in the county in the last few months.

"We are witnessing relative calm and peace, thanks to efforts by national and county governments including the establishment of an Anti-Stock Theft Unit at Mlango in Burat ward," Dr Lowasa said.

Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding speaks during Madaraka celebrations at Isiolo town police grounds on June 1, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu)

Letimalo and Lorot hailed an ongoing operation in Oldonyiro ward that seeks to weed out criminals and recover illegal firearms, saying it had yielded promising results.

"We thank the government for deploying (special unit) officers to deal with cattle rustlers in Oldonyiro to ensure the retrogressive practice is eradicated so that our county experiences development," Letimalo said.

Kiambi appealed to local elders to advise young men (Morans) to quit cattle rustling and join technical institutes to acquire hands-on skills for employment and to employ others.

"Times have changed. We are no longer in the battle of weapons but that of a pen and paper," he said, stressing on the need for Morans to go to school and shun raiding people's homes.

The County Commissioner further assured of the government's commitment to ending insecurity in the region through the use of technology, deployment of National Police Reservists, establishment of special police units in hotspot areas and sensitisation of the public on reporting of incidents for a swift response.

"We are using drones for surveillance and have modern armoured vehicles at Mlango and Kipsing areas to help in securing the stretch within the Isiolo-Samburu border which has been notorious for cattle rustling for a long time," Omoding noted.

A multi-agency team, he said, will be deployed within the Yamicha area which is the most preferred route by human and drug traffickers who fear being arrested while plying the Isiolo-Moyale highway that is manned by a team from various police units.

At the same time, youth leader Patrick Muniaru appealed to the county and national government to support drug reformists in the county, saying many could revert to the drugs if support is not forthcoming.

"The government should reintroduce the Kazi Mtaani programme because the majority of the reformists went back to drugs after the programme was suspended," he said.

The event was well attended despite senior elected leaders giving it a wide berth. Ameru dancers, minority groups, Sky Odha women, Somali dancers, County Choir, young mothers, Mwangaza primary pupils, Turkana dancers and a Choir from State Department of Petroleum were among the entertainers.