Three MPs are stuck in Kapendo awaiting security reinforcement following the killing of a General Service Unit (GSU) operation commander Emadadu Abakol on Sunday by bandits.
Among those who are stranded are Turkana East MP Mohammed Lokiru, Turkana South MP James Lomenen, and Turkana Central MP John Lodebe who were at Kapedo on a peace mission.
Speaking via phone to Emoo FM on Monday, January 18, the Turkana East MP Lokiru narrated the events that led to the killing of the GSU commander shortly after the peace meeting.
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"Yesterday before the attack, I was with other local leaders and security officers from Nairobi led by the deceased officer for a meeting at Kapedo on matters insecurity. After the meeting, the officer decided to leave via the Baringo route. The first batch of the officers was attacked at Ameyan, Tiaty Sub-County where an officer was injured. The GSU boss dashed to the scene for reinforcement and before he arrived at the scene, he and his officers encountered another ambush where he was shot dead," said Lokiru.
The lawmaker said that they have been stuck at the Kapedo trading centre as they can neither travel via the Lokori nor the Ameyan routes over fears of a bandit ambush.
He called on the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya not to relent on dealing with bandits in Kapedo, saying the issue has become a huge menace.
"Sometimes when politicians speak the truth about how to deal with insecurity in Kapedo security bosses perceive it as political talk. They should listen to us keenly," Lokiru said.
Turkan Governor Josphat Nanok on Monday also urged security officers to disarm bandits in Ameyan, Kapedo and Lokori, warning that too many illegal firearms are in the wrong hands.
