Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomurukai has expressed concern over the negative impact of persistent banditry on development programmes along the Turkana–West Pokot border.
He said many projects in the region have remained stalled due to years of insecurity that have disrupted livelihoods and slowed economic progress.
Lomurukai said the national government must undertake comprehensive disarmament and mop up illegal firearms in order to end insecurity in the area.
“The disarmament will end the banditry attacks and help unlock meaningful development along the Turkana–West Pokot border,” he said.
The governor said that the government should apply the same mechanisms used in Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo to disarm bandits and roll out development programmes aimed at transforming the region.
He was speaking in Turkwel during a public participation forum on the proposed Lower Turkwel Irrigation Project, where he described banditry as a man-made disaster sustained in part by leaders who benefit politically from instability.
“As communities and as a government, we must not entertain leaders who thrive on insecurity for selfish gains,” Lomurukai said.
He accused some unnamed local leaders of inciting residents to continue engaging in banditry.
Lomurukai reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peace among neighbouring communities, citing his record as a former MP as evidence of consistent leadership in promoting harmony and coexistence.
The governor was among leaders who attended the forum presided over byBeatrice Askul, the Cabinet Secretary forArid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development.
The Lower Turkwel project is expected to address food insecurity while fostering peace between the Turkana and West Pokot communities.
Lomurukai thanked the national government for selecting the project and assured residents that leaders at both levels of government were fully committed to its successful implementation.
He urged residents to abandon banditry and embrace alternative livelihoods, including agro-pastoral initiatives, noting that sustained peace would unlock long-term socioeconomic development.
The governor also acknowledged the effects of climate change on water levels, saying the irrigation project was timely and critical for boosting food production and strengthening community resilience.
Askul called on residents to support the project and assured them of the government’s goodwill towards its success.
She underscored the need for harmony, noting that persistent banditry had discouraged private investment, leaving the government as the primary driver of development in the area.
West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin echoed the sentiments, saying the region has immense potential to become a major food basket.
He stressed the need for collective focus on effective implementation of the project for the benefit of wananchi and supported calls for disarmament to ensure free movement and peaceful coexistence.
Kello Harsama, the Principal Secretary for Asal and Regional Development, Turkana county commissioner Julius Kavita and West Pokot county commissioner David Ntawuasa also attended the forum.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!