Elgeyo Marakwet governor Alex Tolgos (L) with his West Pokot counterpart John Lonyangapuo during a security meeting in Kitale on October 05, 2017. [Photo/ Joe Khisa]
The national government has been urged to deploy the Anti Stock Theft Police Unit (ASTU) along the borders of counties in Kerio Valley so as to help curb perennial cattle rustling that has been the main cause of insecurity in the region.
This is one of the agreements reached between elected leaders from Elgeyo Makwet and West Pokot counties who held a joint security meeting in Kitale, Trans Nzoia county, Thursday where they also agreed to form peace committees.
Governors Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet) and West Pokot's John Lonyangapuo as well as members of the two county assemblies attended the meeting that was aimed at bringing a long lasting solution to constant bandit attacks along the two counties boundary.
"We resolved to immediately form peace committees in the affected sides and open all the markets that had been closed due to insecurity in the two Counties," governor Tolgos said after the meeting.
"We are committed in bringing a long lasting peace along the borders and along the Kerio Valley so that the region can prosper economically," added governor Lonyangapuo.
The meeting also agreed that National Police Reservists (NPR) from both counties be united so as to enable them operate harmoniously as one force.
Leadership from the two counties further agreed to the return of all stolen livestock and disarmament of bandits.