NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 17 – A Non-Governmental Organization has lauded the government’s efforts to restore security in the North Rift Region.
Speaking during a press conference, Friday, National Council of Non-Governmental Organizations chairman Stephen Cheboi stated that this will stabilize the region’s social and economic activities.
He however urged the government to carry out the security operation in a humane manner and not victimize residents.
“As the National Council of NGOs, we fully support the ongoing peace exercise in the northern part of the country, that is the north rift county. But we are also appealing to the government to ensure there is a humane pace when it comes to the operation in that particular region of the country. We also don’t want to see any abuse of human rights,” he said.
He further urged communities living in those regions to surrender arms as this will aid in restoring peace.
‘We are also here to appeal to the communities of those regions that, owning a gun is not a solution to our peace or insecurity situation. Let us adhere to what the government is appealing to us and give out the guns that are in the wrong hands. Let a gun be only owned by an authorized officer. Not a civilian. Because, if we have arms within us, then we might create a bad republic where everyone can wake up one morning and do something wrong or even kill one another,” Cheboi advised.
The Council’s appeal comes after armed civilians in possession of unlicensed firearms in Kerio Valley defied thes government’s directive to surrender them as as the three-day ultimatum lapsed on Thursday.
According to the National Police Service, only three civilians had surrendered the firearms. Two from Turkana one from Samburu.
President William Ruto had given the ultimatum as he authorized the deployment of Kenya Defense Forces(KDF) ton support NPS units in a multi-agency operation in the North Rift. The KDF deployment decision followed a sharp increase in cattle rustling and banditry attack that have claimed the lives of 100 civilians and at least sixteen police officers.
