Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis has differed with the National Government on plans to arm a section of the locals.
The Governor protested the move to arm KPR (Kenya Police Reservists) noting that it will further escalate banditry attacks in the region.
The county boss pleaded with the government to confiscate the available guns noting that the region had several illegal firearms and was the reason for successful raids in the region and other criminal activities.
“I want to ask the national government to tame the many illegal firearms in the region. Little children under the age of 18 years use guns as walking sticks and they will always use it to execute criminal activities,” noted Kiptis.
“Please let the firearms be owned only by police officers and not civilians including KPR,” added the Governor.
The national government was keen on issuing firearms to KPR officers to help tame insecurity in the region.
The Pokot community have been pressuring the national government to also arm a section of members from their community so as to enable equality in the possession of firearms such as their counterparts the Tugen, Ilchamus and the Marakwet who already have slots.