Residents of Kainuk town, located near the Turkana-West Pokot border, are facing a surge in insecurity after a recent bandit attack. The attack, which occurred over the weekend, left three people seriously injured and more than 1,700 livestock belonging to 58 families stolen. The bandits drove the livestock towards Amolem in neighboring West Pokot County. This incident has heightened tensions in Kainuk, a border town between Turkana and West Pokot counties.
The raid has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the government's disarmament operation in the region. Residents had surrendered their illegal firearms as part of the exercise, but this has not translated into greater protection from armed criminals. In fact, residents are now feeling increasingly exposed to bandit attacks, which have become more frequent. Many have abandoned their farms, communal grazing fields, and forests along River Malmalite for fear of attacks.
Kainuk Senior Chief Sarah Lochodo confirmed that the attackers escaped with over 1,700 livestock belonging to 58 families. The stolen livestock were driven towards Amolem in neighboring West Pokot County. Residents are questioning the safety of their area, especially after surrendering their illegal firearms. They argue that this has not provided them with the protection they expected.
The insecurity has affected the daily activities of residents, with many too afraid to visit their farms or engage in charcoal burning. Ms. Wilmar Nakwan, a resident, stated that she had stopped visiting her farm along the banks of River Malmalite due to fear of being attacked. Bandits are targeting farmers, charcoal vendors, and motorists, making it difficult for residents to carry out their daily activities.
County Police Commander John Tarus attributed the renewed attacks to the presence of large numbers of livestock and herders in the South Turkana National Reserve. He stated that this had contributed to frequent attacks between Kainuk and Kakong'u centers in Aroo Sub-County. The police will intensify operations to remove bandits, armed herders, and livestock from the gazetted reserve.
Local leaders have expressed concern over the security situation, particularly with the resumption of petroleum activities scheduled for December 1. Turkana Woman Representative Cecilia Ngitit stated that residents of Turkana East and Turkana South constituencies were still undergoing a disarmament exercise conducted by Special Operations Group (SOG) officers. She emphasized that the government had a responsibility to protect communities that had surrendered their illegal firearms.
The situation remains volatile, with leaders criticizing the conduct of some SOG officers. Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai accused them of subjecting residents to harassment and indiscriminate violence during the disarmament exercise. The leaders are seeking a meeting with the head of disarmament operations to present residents' grievances and discuss ways to ensure the exercise is conducted peacefully.
Key points
- The government disarmament exercise has not provided expected protection to residents.
- Bandits are targeting farmers, charcoal vendors, and motorists in Kainuk.
- Local leaders are demanding urgent government intervention to address the insecurity.
