Talk to your bandit voters to end the vice, Speaker Wetangula tell Baringo MPs
In a statement to the House, the Speaker stated that it is the young people involved in endless banditry activities that elect the leaders
The National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged elected leaders from the volatile Baringo county ravaged by incessant banditry activities to talk to the young men who are also their voters ostensibly to bring the serial massacres and cattle theft to an end.
In a statement to the House, the Speaker stated that it is the young people involved in endless banditry activities that elect the leaders.
The Speaker specifically urged the legislators including; Reuben Kiborek (Mogotio), Joseph Makilap (Baringo North), William Kamket (Tiaty), Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine), Florence Jematia (County MP), Joshua Kandie (Baringo Central), and Charles Kamuren (Baringo South) to actively engage the youths physically.
Wetangula reiterated that it is the duty of the elected leaders to speak to the young people and ensure they change their ways.
He urged them to move around their Constituencies while on recess and speak to them.
“You are leaders, and you are going on recess; go round your county and talk to those young people and encourage them to stop wielding illegal firearms. It is those young men who vote for you,” the speaker stated.
He added that it is the leaders who use the youth for good or bad.
The Speaker stated that Baringo leaders must ensure that peace is in the county, which experiences cases of insecurity every time majorly due to cattle rustling.
“It is them who you use for good and bad. Go and meet them and talk to them, so that leaders, you also play a role in ensuring there is peace within your jurisdiction. I am sure you can,” he said.
According to Wetang’ula, Mogotio MP Rueben Kiborek has some of his age mates involved in the illegal firearm-wielding activities, among other insecurities in the Rift Valley County, and it would be good if he uses the chance of being young to talk to them.
He added that the young people would listen to him more because they are age mates.
The speaker said the Legislators do not need to wait for officers to be dispatched in the areas to help reduce insecurity; they can start by talking to those involved to change.
“Some of those young men are your age, Kiborek, and I am sure you can use your magic as a youth to get to them. Your access to them is easier than your older colleagues. Please go and talk to them. Do not wait for the police to come from Nairobi, you can also play your part,” Wetang’ula stated.
Responding to the Speaker’s statement, Eldama Ravine MP Mus Sirma stated that they will keenly follow his advice.
Sirma promised to ensure the insecurity mess in Baringo is cleaned.
“Speaker, we take your statement seriously, and we promise to go. I say this on behalf of all the members elected in Baringo County. We shall endeavor to clean up the mess in the county,” he committed.
“Make sure you include Kamket,” the speaker directed Sirma.
The statement by Wetangula comes as previous leaders in the North Rift region have been accused of being involved in some of the insecurity activities in the region.
