MPs claim tribal raiders using guns stolen in Baragoi massacre

PHOTO | FILE Administration Police carry the remains of their colleagues from Suguta Valley in Baragoi on November 16, 2012.

Rifles taken from the policemen killed in the Baragoi massacre in November 2012 are being used by Turkana warriors in deadly raids against the Samburu, four MPs from the area have said.

They now want the government to recover the arms taken from the policemen before any further efforts can be made to negotiate for peace between the Turkana and Samburu communities.

Led by Alois Lentoimanga (Samburu North, TNA), the legislators said they wouldn’t be involved in any more “boardroom meetings” unless the Internal Security ministry makes efforts to get back the rifles.

Mr Lentoimanga said there have been several raids within Samburu County since August 28, with the latest coming on October 2, where two people were killed.
Seven people have been killed in raids over the last two months, he said.

He said after the raids, residents have recovered cartridges indicating that the raiders use the 7.6 mm-bullets used with the G3 rifle, which is commonly used by the regular and the Administration Police.

With G3 rifles, he said, the Kenya Police Reservists are no match for the raiders given the difference in their weapons.

“We’re unable to even go to our constituencies because of fear,” said Mr Lentoimanga. “Boardroom meetings are not the solution.”

He said the authorities in the area are aware that the raiders come from 10-15 kilometres away from Baragoi but have been reluctant to go after them, with the Regular and Administration Police also infighting.

MPs Lati Lelelit (Samburu West, URP) and Maison Leshoomo (Samburu County, TNA) asked Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku to initiate the recovery of the firearms.

Mr Lenku had on July 13 issued a two-week ultimatum for the raiders to return the 48 rifles taken from the dead and dying officers during the massacre, with the promise that the government would carry out forced disarmament if the firearms are not returned.

Said Ms Leshoomo: “We have refused to be called to go to talk about this in offices. Let them go get the guns that belong to the government and then we’ll get the people to talk.”

According to Nominated Senator Naisula Lesuuda, the presence of the government arms has created an “imbalance” between the communities, which has undermined efforts to make peace between them.

“I wouldn’t want to be in a position where I tell those communities, ‘Let’s live together’ but the next day there is a massacre. This is the nth time we have spoken. We’ll continue to speak about it until these firearms are returned to the armoury,” she said.