OTHAYA leaders have urged the government to assist the families of the 42 police officers killed at Baragoi's Sunguta Valley in Samburu last week.

Led by parliamentary aspirants Mary Wambui, Esau Kioni and Ringaru Gichane, the leaders said most of the officers were the bread winners of their families. They sent condolences to the families.

The leaders commended the government for moving fast to restore peace in the area after the attack, adding that the police should ensure that those involved in the killings are arrested and prosecuted.

Wambui criticised the National Security Intelligence Service for failing to uncover the planned attack on the officers to save lives. Wambui and Gichane were speaking during the burial of Wachira Waithanji Wamuchiru, 83 at Munyange village in Othaya at the weekend.

Wamuchiru was the personal bodyguard of freedom fighter Mathenge Mirugi at the height of the Mau Mau war. "This is one of the heinous attacks we have ever witnessed in the country where more 40 police officers were murdered in the line of duty. We should never expect a repeat of this any other time," said Gichane.

Speaking on phone, Kioni asked the government to deal with insecurity to ensure the general election is peaceful. Meanwhile, Gichane lamented the neglect of Mau Mau veterans and urged the the government to help the families. He called for the setting up of a kitty to help all the ex-Mau Maus as the London case continues.