Samburu West Member of Parliament, Naisula Lesuuda, on Tuesday, October 18, broke down in tears while recounting the challenges her residents encounter in the prolonged battle with bandits.
Lesuuda, who was speaking during the vetting of Interior Cabinet Secretary Nominee Kindiki Kithure, questioned the new administration’s plans to combat the rampant cases of banditry attacks in the Rift Valley.
"I will request your indulgence because what I am about to ask is something that I know many of us share in this committee and I constantly get the feeling that officeholders responsible for matters of security don't really understand or even are willing to comprehend the pain caused by insecurity in the north," she stated.
"What strategy do you have to end this menace once and for all so that as a leader I can execute my other national duties and concern myself only with security matters?” she posed.
Lesuuda cited instances where a gang of armed men allegedly ambushed herdsmen in her constituency and drove away with cattle.
Later in the morning of Tuesday, October 18, another group of armed men attacked her constituents, killing one resident and leaving her staff missing.
“Just yesterday, while I was undertaking this very important national duty, criminals from the neighbouring constituency ambushed herders and drove away with cattle.
"As if that was enough, the criminals continue to be bolder by the day. This morning they attacked again, they killed one person, two people are missing, one who is actually my staff," she cried.
The MP expressed her dissatisfaction with the response from the government, which she claims only reacts to the death of security personnel, whilst locals are killed with little or no response.
On his part, the CS nominee admitted the existence of security challenges in the Rift Valley. He stated that he was under instructions from President William Ruto to end the crisis upon assumption of office. However, he declined to share a detailed plan.
"I agree with the honourable Naisula. She speaks on behalf of about 67 per cent of Kenya's territory, which is largely facing serious insecurity.
"I have been instructed to make sure that we deal with banditry once and for all in the North Rift," he stated.
