Kenya: Oil Behind Turkana Fight, Say Leaders

TURKANA leaders say the discovery oil and geothermal boundary conflicts are the main causes of increased banditry attacks in the North Rift region.

Senator John Munyes said fighters from a neighbouring country were involved in the killing of 21 police officers at Kapedo, Turkana East, on Suturday.

“Some people are using bandits to carry out attacks so they seize minerals in our county but we will not accept any part to be annexed,” he said.

Governor Josphat Nanok and Munyes have urged the government to carry out fresh border surveys for Turkana, Baringo, Pokot and Samburu counties.

Munyes said the government should send surveyors to clearly mark the borders.

Turkana South MP James Lomenen and his Turkana East counterpart Nicholas Ngikor said the killing of police officers is unacceptable.

“Targeting security officers is beyond the capacity of the police so KDF should take over,” said Lomenen.

Nanok has supported the government decision to carry out a security operation in Baringo, Pokot and Turkana counties to disarm bandits.

He said the government has the mandate to secure all parts of the country.

“We have always been asking the government to intervene and stop these senseless killings once and for all. This time we hope the security forces are here to stay until we have enough security,” said Nanok.

The leaders were speaking in Eldoret town on Monday during a workshop on oil exploration in Turkana county.

He said it has been difficult for leaders in the region to discuss security issues but time has come for them to talk about insecurity.

“Its unacceptable to kill government officers. We have to end inter-community attacks,” said Nanok.

Leaders from the Pokot community have denied inciting and planning attacks on police officers and civilians but the government says it has evidence some of them are directly involved in the attacks.

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