Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo has proposed a meeting involving leaders from Isiolo, Samburu, Meru, and Marsabit to find a lasting solution to the escalating insecurity in the region. This move comes as the area continues to experience repeated attacks by bandits from neighbouring areas, resulting in loss of life and livestock. The governor's call for a meeting is an effort to address the security concerns and bring peace to the region.
The governor's push for a meeting comes after he appeared before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) on Tuesday, where he apologized for missing previous summonses. The committee had directed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to produce the governor after he failed to honour previous summons. However, after Guyo's appearance, apology, and compliance with the committee's conditions, including paying a Sh500,000 fine and submitting written responses to audit queries, the arrest warrant against him was vacated.
During his appearance before the committee, Guyo expressed concern over the worsening insecurity in Isiolo and neighbouring counties. He stated that residents had lost both lives and livestock in repeated attacks by bandits, describing the situation as a serious concern. The governor mentioned that recently, five people were killed, including police officers, by the bandits. He emphasized that the people of Isiolo are increasingly scared by the developments on the ground and urged leaders from neighbouring counties to work together to de-escalate the situation.
Guyo criticized the focus on animals killed during a recent police operation in Samburu, saying Isiolo residents had lost thousands of cattle to bandit attacks. He claimed that Isiolo residents had lost nearly 15,000 cattle to bandits from Samburu. The governor urged his colleague, the governor of Samburu, to tone down and look for leaders from Samburu and Isiolo to sit down and discuss ways of ending the cycle of violence.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua backed calls for decisive government action, saying communities in his county had also suffered attacks by bandits. He questioned why police officers involved in security operations would target livestock, which he said were supposed to be protected. Wambua expressed concern over the senseless loss of life and called for an end to the attacks.
The Senate County Public Accounts Committee vice chairperson, Samson Cherargei, stated that the arrest warrant against Guyo had been vacated following his appearance, apology, and compliance with the committee's conditions. Cherargei said the committee would consider the written responses submitted by the governor and, if necessary, summon him again to clarify any outstanding issues.
The insecurity in Isiolo and neighbouring counties remains a major concern, with residents continuing to lose lives and livestock to bandit attacks. Governor Guyo's call for a meeting with leaders from neighbouring counties is seen as a step towards addressing the security concerns and bringing peace to the region. Key stakeholders, including the government and local leaders, are expected to play a crucial role in resolving the situation.
Key points
- Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo calls for a meeting with leaders from neighbouring counties to address escalating insecurity and bandit attacks in the region.
- The governor's call for a meeting comes after he appeared before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee and apologized for missing previous summonses.
- The insecurity in Isiolo and neighbouring counties remains a major concern, with residents continuing to lose lives and livestock to bandit attacks.
