By Betty Luke
A section of Isiolo leaders have castigated the government over failure to put measures to avert banditry attacks that have left more than 15 dead and several injured in the last one month.
Led by Woman Representative Rehema Jaldesa, the leaders accused the government of unfairness in handling insecurity cases saying their neighbours were being favoured.
Ms Jaldesa, accompanied by Burat MCA Yarrow Hassan and his Ngaremara counterpart Ekwam Teru said the security organs were so lenient when dealing with bandits from Samburu county compared to when dealing with those from Isiolo.
“Several innocent lives continue to be lost in the grazing lands and even at homes while the government is doing nothing,” said Ms Jaldesa.
The leaders recounted two multi-agency security team operations conducted in Ngaremara where several people were allegedly mistreated and animals recovered given to neighbouring Samburu County adding that such operations should also be donein neighbouring counties when Isiolo people are attacked.
“Several people were injured during the operations. Can’t such be conducted in Samburu and other counties whose people have been unleashing terror on our land?” Mr Teru posed.
Despite several promises by the government to beef up security and recover stolen animals, the MCA said, nothing had been done and instead, innocent people continued to be killed, others maimed and livestock stolen in broad daylight.
“The government has been biased when protecting its people, we are not being treated equally,” he said adding, “We are tired and no longer know who to take our grievances to”
Mr Yarrow said police were taking too long to respond to distress calls from residents after attacks impeding efforts to nab the culprits.
“Intelligence reports shared with them (police) are not acted upon in time exposing our people to a lot of risks,” he said.
The legislator noted that together with residents had trust in the government in protecting them and their property but the trust was dimming by the day.
“Enough is enough and we are tired of burying innocent lives every day,” said Mr Yarrow.
Burat MCA Hassan Yarrow and other Somali community leaders address journalists at Taqwa cemetery where some of those killed during the recent attack were buried on July 2, 2021. PHOTO/PRESS POINT
The leaders spoke when they visited two victims of a recent banditry attack, including a 11-year-old boy, nursing gunshot wounds at Isiolo Referral Hospital.
The two were injured when bandits suspected to have come from neighbouring Samburu County shot dead four people at Aremiet village on Thursday.
The MP expressed discontent with the Ministry of Interior for not responding and providing a lasting solution to the incessant attacks in the region.
“What have we done to deserve being killed under the government watch?,” Ms Jaldesa posed.
“We need increased security presence in our county and at our borders to help avert the attacks,” the MP said.
