The government is set to beef up security along the volatile Meru – Isiolo border by establishing a General Service Unit (G.S.U) camp at Lambwa, and reintroducing Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) who will support the police service to ensure law and order in the region even as search for those involved in recent killings of people and camels intensify.
At least ten camels belonging to Isiolo herders invaded farms in Mweromalia area of Meru and were slashed to death by farmers on Monday, an incident that sparked outrage among the Isiolo herders who launched a revenge attack and killed five people. Athwana Ward MCA who is also the leader of Majority at the County Assembly of Meru Victor Kariithi was yesterday arrested on suspicion that he incited members of public to kill the invading camels, but was released on bond. So far nobody has been arrested in connection to the killing of five people.
Speaking in Isiolo following a high level security meeting that brought together the Eastern Regional Security team as well as the County Security teams from both Meru and Isiolo Counties, the Secretary in charge of Internal Security at the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of Government Wilson Njega who chaired the meeting announced that the process of vetting and recruiting suitable individuals who will be issued with Kenya Police Reservist guns, to aid the police service in restoring law and order along the border between Isiolo and Samburu as well as the Isiolo – Meru border will soon commence.
Mr. Njega warned residents and politicians from both counties of Meru and Isiolo against inciting locals and taking the law into their own hands and instead use the legal avenues to resolve their issues whenever they are aggrieved.
He said that more than twelve people have lost their lives since the conflict between camel herders and farmers began along the Meru – Isiolo border, where seven other people were killed in February under similar circumstances.
He said that the security teams have decided on the establishment of a Formed GSU unit at Lambwa area along the Isiolo – Meru border to aid in improving security surveillance and enforce directives and regulations requiring both the herders and farmers to respect each other by not invading and destroying property.
According to Evans Achoki who is the Eastern regional commissioner, the security meeting was convened to offer lasting solutions and restore sanity along the troubled Meru – Isiolo border.
Also among the attendants were the Commandant of General Service Unit (GSU) Douglas Kanja, and the Director of Operations at the National police service Yakub Rashid.
