Written By Vanessa Kariuki ||
Residents of Laikipia North have urged the government to reinstate National Police Reservists (NPR) to help with stepping up security and putting a stop to recurrent banditry attacks.
Residents voiced their complaints about the lack of security personnel at a public baraza presided over by Laikipia County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri and other senior security authorities in the county.
As they highlighted, bandits have been using those two regions as escape routes after committing terrible crimes, they claimed NPR was stationed at the Seek area, which is between Rekuruki from the East side and Murpusi. Maa communities mainly impede Laikipia North.
Approximately 30 young men, according to locals, stormed Doldol Day Secondary School on Monday and stole three bags of rice weighing 50 kilograms, two bags of beans, five kilograms of salt, five kilograms of sugar, and tea leaves, leaving starving students in Laikipia at the mercy of God to continue their studies.
Instead of taking food, robbers have reportedly been stealing cattle, according to locals, who claim that after destroying the local livestock, they turned to stealing food. No recent livestock theft incidence has been reported, though.
Before holding public barazas in which he reassured people that the government is committed to restoring peace, Kanyiri spent a good portion of his time with local community elders to identify the underlying causes of recurring insecurity crises.
“On issue of NPR, we have discussed it with security team and we will supply you with NPR and not as many as you want. We will push your proposals and when granted, they will be stationed at Doldol and Kiwanja Ndege,” promised the county commissioner.
Kanyiri promised the residents that the bandits would be dealt with once they are caught, as their days are numbered.
The creation of a community security monitoring team and the development of Nyumba Kumi projects were also requested by the residents.
Bar owners were instructed by Laikipia County Police Commander John Nyoike not to stay open past 11 p.m.
