President William Ruto has called a security meeting on Saturday to respond to escalating violence in the North Rift region.
NAIROBI, Kenya, March 31 – Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has criticized Police General Japheth Koome for his lack of efforts to restore peace in the Kerio Valley.
Speaking in Bomet, Kericho County, Cheruiyot expressed disappointment over Koome’s lack of meaningful action to address the persistent violence in the area.
The Kericho senator expressed outrage at the continued killings by bandits, describing the situation as unacceptable.
He stressed that the Office of the Inspector General of Police should function independently and take responsibility for maintaining public order.
“There is an individual we appointed to work as a Police General called Koome, where has he gone? How can you be the Police General when Kenyans are being killed and maimed every day? He should speak from Kerio Valley or resign,” Cheruiyot said.
Cheruiyot questioned Koome’s absence in Kerio Valley, suggesting that the Inspector General should either address the situation directly or resign.
The Kerio Valley has been the scene of a recent upsurge in banditry, leading to numerous injuries and deaths.
President William Ruto has called a security meeting on Saturday to address growing violence in the North Rift region. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, Principal Secretary Raymond Omolo and Deputy Inspectors General of Police were among those present.
Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi has urged the national government to strengthen Operation Maliza Uhalifu in response to the insecurity, which has displaced hundreds of residents.
Since the launch of Operation Maliza Uhalifu, the government has recruited, trained and deployed national police reservists to reinforce security forces in the region.
The operation, led by the police and supported by the army, aims to respond to persistent security challenges through a multi-agency approach.
Senator Cheruiyot calls out IG Koome for failing to end banditry in Kerio Valley » Capital News (capitalfm.co.ke)
