Nairobi — Pastoralist Parliamentary Group members have said they will not allow rogue elements to fuel violence in the Northern region saying its derailing development in the region.
Close to 100 legislators drawn from the National Assembly and Senate insisted that they will work together to ensure that they safeguard the interest of the communities in the region pointing that those fueling animosity are not working for the best interest of the people.
Saku MP Dido Rasso who is the group patron said that they will join efforts to address the myriad of face challenges facing the region which include the perennial banditry and cattle rustling.
"We come from various parts of the country which have remained behind in development due to challenges such as banditry, famine, livestock rustling, drought and our regions lagging behind in development for many years, we must come together to change our situation," said Rasso.
During a meeting held in Nairobi, the leaders maintained that the banditry menace has to come to an end emphasizing that the notion that insecurity challenges have been fueled by elected leader is an excuse to run away from the truth.
Tiaty MP William Kamket stated that they are confident in President William Ruto's administration to ensure that the banditry menace is curtailed in the region to enable a peaceful environment for development to be enhanced.
He called on the residents in the Northern region to ceasefire and allow the government to take charge of the situation instead of taking matters on their hands.
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"We have agreed that no elected leader should support banditry and livestock rustling and that we should all preach peace in the country," said Kamket.
Turkana West MP Daniel Nanok said that the Northern Region has been marginalized for years due to the perennial banditry.
He asserted that there was need for peace to be restored in the region decrying that the millions invested in the security operation can be utilized to develop the Northern Region.
"The 102 Members of Parliament from the Pastoralist communities across the country are committed to ensure that peace and harmony prevail in the vast region of the country which has lagged behind in development due to perennial conflicts which do not add any value to anyone," said Nanok.
Incidents of insecurity are synonymous with the country's north, with residents of Turkana, Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties bearing the brunt of the cyclic cases of banditry that often leave a trail of death, destruction and loss of property.
North Rift residents have demanded action over high insecurity in the region.
Currently, the government has deployed military intervention to complement police efforts in the fight against bandits who have caused mayhem and loss of property in the North Rift region.
