Jan, 19th 2021 – Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi has said that security has been beefed up in the area between Kapedo and Chemolingot in Baringo County. This is following two-day unrest that left a top ranked GSU officer dead.
He said, “We condemn yesterday’s premeditated, cold-blooded, heinous attack on our security personnel, who were on a routine security mission in Kapedo.”
The government has launched a massive manhunt for the armed bandits that attacked the team of officers. Matiang’i added that the ongoing security operation led by the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai will continue for days, as they seek the culprits behind the Monday attack in the area.
In a statement, Matiang’i said, “We will not relent until all the perpetrators, including the elders who administered the oath and sent off the killers, are surrendered and brought to justice.“
He added, “This operation will be extensive and sustained as we meticulously comb through every nook and cranny in the area until we find the last criminal.”
He condemned the attack on the security personnel, that also left two others officers injured.
According to Turkana East Sub County commander Edwin Ogwari, officer Emadau Temakol was returning back to Nairobi after his mission in the region when the attackers laid an ambush.
Matiang’i in a press statement to newsrooms said, “The attack, which took place between Kapedo and Chemolingot in Baringo County at Amaya center at 4:30 pm on Sunday, took the precious life of our GSU Deputy Operations Director, Emadau Temako, and left two other officers injured.”
Police, led by @IG_NPS, have launched an extensive and sustained operation in Kapedo area targeting the criminals who laid an ambush against security personnel during which GSU Deputy Operations Director, Emadau Temako, was killed and two other officers were injured. pic.twitter.com/h7tQ0sHJea
— Ministry of Interior (@InteriorKE) January 18, 2021
He urged the locals to work hand in hand with security officers in efforts to change the national security belief associated with the area and address the attacks. “As part of the efforts to change our national security doctrines in the area and decisively address the escalating attacks, we appeal to members of the public to work closely with our security officers with a view to bringing this matter to closure and begin a return to normalcy.”
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya also warned residents against working with the criminals. He added that those responsible will face the law regardless of their status in the society.
More officers have been sent to the area to smoke out gunmen from their hideouts. The violence has led to a near halt in learning and economic activities as locals have been advised to remain indoors.