The Kenyan Parliament has summoned Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to answer questions over the killing of over 700 livestock during a security operation in Samburu. The summons was issued after Samburu Governor Leti Lelelit and affected families presented a petition to Parliament seeking compensation for their livestock. The petition was committed to the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security.
Governor Lelelit demanded compensation for 763 livestock, which he said were shot down indiscriminately during the attack. He stated that there is enough justification for the residents of Samburu to be compensated under the law, especially since the CS himself has admitted to wrongdoing by the police. The Governor also announced that the affected families will be present at the gallery when Murkomen and Kanja appear before the National Assembly on Wednesday.
The security operation, which was conducted on September 19, involved the General Service Unit (GSU) and the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) and aimed to tame cases of banditry and cattle rustling in Waso ward. However, residents claim that the police actions resulted in the killing of over 700 livestock, with no bandits shot or arrested. Raphael Lekeiyala, a resident from the County, termed the shootings as economic sabotage against the people of the community.
The residents are seeking an independent investigation into the conduct of the operation and the circumstances under which civilian livestock was allegedly targeted and residents shot. They are also demanding full and prompt compensation to all families verified to have lost livestock or suffered injury in the operation. Furthermore, they want Parliament to recommend disciplinary or legal action against officers found to have acted unlawfully.
Samburu County women rep Pauline Lenguri had previously sought answers from the Ministry of Interior on the indiscriminate shooting of residents and livestock in Samburu on September 19 and 21. According to Lenguri, 15 goats, 2 cows, 400 goats, and 100 calves were reportedly killed during the incident. In a separate incident on September 23, another 198 cattle and 14 donkeys were also killed in the Lekilash area.
The development came two days after Samburu MPs demanded that heads roll over the incident that left families destitute. The leaders decried what they termed the continued harassment and destruction of livestock and property by the State, simultaneously demanding answers from the Ministry of Interior Security. MPs highlighted the grave consequences of the shootings and demanded reparations from the government.
Murkomen and Kanja are expected to appear before the plenary of the whole house on Wednesday to answer queries raised by the MPs in the presence of the affected families. The County Chief was accompanied by former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal, a section of the 43 families affected, and other residents from Samburu.
Key points
- The Kenyan government faces criticism for its handling of a security operation in Samburu that resulted in the killing of over 700 livestock.
- Parliament has summoned Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen and IG Douglas Kanja to answer questions over the incident.
- Residents are demanding compensation for their lost livestock and an independent investigation into the conduct of the security operation.
