Turkana professionals have decried the sluggish response by security personnel following recent banditry attack at Kilepoi in Baragoi, Samburu North.

The attackers killed six people, left eight injured and drove away more than 5,000 head of cattle during the Monday 10 raid. 

The assault happened despite Kilepoi enjoying heavy presence of security agents among them reservists, police officers and military personnel.

The group asked Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to urgently convene a meeting of all stakeholders to finding a lasting solution to the banditry problem.

The professionals said it’s unfortunate that the National Intelligence Services(NIS) failed the people of Samburu North.

He faulted National Intelligence Services failure to forestall the raid, claiming that rumours of a pending attack had been circulating. 

“Instead of fostering peace and justice, the propagation of false information has instead fueled division through tribal favouritism, thus compromising security and governance,” said Ernest Nadome, chairman, Turkana Professionals Association, in Nairobi.

“The sluggish and ineffective action from these security organs raises grave concerns about their commitment to their constitutional duty to protect lives and property. The continued failure of the national government to fortify security in these conflict-prone areas has created a fertile breeding ground for terror, lawlessness and impunity.” said Ernest Nadome, chairman, Turkana Professionals Association, in Nairobi.

He said it’s ironical that Samburu North is one of the highly protected county yet very poor in terms of security.

He also asked the CS to reshuffle the security personnel in the sub-county.

Nadome together with members of the association’s Samburu Chapter, were speaking on Thursday when they addressed the press in Nairobi.

They added that the dissemination of false information has misled security agencies, exacerbated ethnic tensions and further marginalised the affected community(Turkana).

Nadome blamed local media for what he said misreporting that it was Turkana community who attacked Samburus, when its Samburu’s who did attack. This, he said adds gravity to the injustices.

“The deliberate misrepresentation is not only irresponsible but also dangerously inflammatory, as it manipulates public perception, misguides security strategies and further entrenches systematic oppression against marginalised communities,” he said.

He called upon the local media to exercise professionalism, conduct internal reviews to ensure factual reporting and retract any misleading information that he says may have compromised the pursuit of truth and justice.