Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet has ordered Rift Valley police officers to use all available resources to end ongoing clashes in Kainuk area on the border between West Pokot and Turkana counties.
This is following banditry attacks that have left at least 9 people dead.
On Saturday six people lost their lives and three others died after the bandits striked again.
The clashes are said to have paralysed transport at the border for hours before police restored order.
In a statement on Monday, the IG directed Rift Valley Regional Police Commander (RPC) Edward Mwamburi to stop the violence and restore order to allow members of the public to lead normal lives.”
According to Boinnet, some identified persons are responsible for the ongoing clashes.
“The RPC has further been ordered to step up investigations into the role of certain identified individuals who are suspected of inciting violence in the area, and bring them to book in accordance with the law,” added the statement.
He urged local residents to cooperate with the police during the operation for their own safety.
“We, therefore, call on members of the public to cooperate with police officers in an effort to deal with the rustlers who are out to wreck the peace and trust that the local residents have built amongst themselves,” he said.
After the attacks on Sunday, West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo blamed police officers for failing to stop the notorious bandits in the area.
“We are surprised by the behaviour of the officers from the other side who behave like people from another nation,” said Lonyangapuo.
Last week, the governor’s convoy was also attacked at Lami Nyeusi area in West Pokot-Turkana border while headed for a peace meeting.
Read: Panic As Gang Attacks West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo’s Convoy
During the early morning attack, heavily armed bandits are alleged to have sprayed the convoy with bullets before Lonyangapuo’s security responded.