A KDF soldier deployed in Baringo County to curb insecurity. [Photo/ ebrutv.co.ke]
Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has lashed out at government over the deteriorating security situation in the county.Moi said despite the Kenya Defence Force soldiers and police deployment in the county criminal gangs and cattle rustlers still freely roam in the region.“The Government should be honest with the people of Baringo about whether there is an operation or just a public relations gimmick,” he said on Thursday.“Why are criminal elements so bold to attack kill and steal livestock if there is really an operation?”At the peak of cattle rustling in Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties early in the year, the government ordered for the deployment of KDF soldiers to restore order.The deployment came after cattle said to be cattle rustlers killed seven people- four women and three children in Baringo.Elected leaders in the affected counties have been trading accusations over who is responsible for the recurrent attacks.Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen in December 2016 linked the attacks to some politicians from West Pokot and Baringo counties who he said directly benefit from the cattle raids.He claimed the stolen livestock is sold in Nairobi slaughter houses.Several peace meetings have been held in the region in a bid to restore sanity to no avail.Moi said it is government’s primary responsibility to ensure all citizens are safe.“We cannot understand why the attacks continue when we have well-equipped officers on the ground, unless they are in the region for a different mission besides flushing out criminals. Let's pray for peace love and unity,” the senator said.