Residents Raise Alarm Over Police Use of Excessive Force in West Pokot Disarmament Operation
Residents of West Pokot County have expressed serious concerns over the ongoing disarmament operation in the region, accusing police and security personnel of using unnecessary and excessive force while carrying out their duties.
The main goal of the exercise is to recover illegal firearms and encourage people to voluntarily surrender weapons, a measure intended to bring lasting peace and stability to the area.
According to reports from the National Police Service (NPS), as of March, a total of 97 firearms and 193 rounds of ammunition had been recovered in the county.
Despite these achievements, many locals are questioning whether the operation is being conducted according to the official directives outlined by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
Community members emphasize that the program was meant to be intelligence-led, targeting specific suspects rather than entire communities.
However, residents say the approach on the ground has largely deviated from this plan, resulting in widespread fear and disruption.
Reports indicate that some homes have been burned and personal property destroyed during the operation.
Farmers and herders also claim that livestock have been shot in large numbers, leading to significant losses for families that rely on these animals for their livelihood.
Local traders have not been spared either. Some allege that their motorcycles and other assets have been seized during raids, disrupting businesses and daily commerce.
In addition, there have been claims of residents, including women, being physically assaulted in local markets, raising alarm about the treatment of civilians during the crackdown.
Despite these concerns, community members maintain that they support the objective of disarming individuals who possess illegal weapons.
They believe this effort is essential for ensuring long-term peace and security in West Pokot. However, they insist that the methods being used must respect the rights, property, and well-being of residents.
Mark Lomunokol, former Member of Parliament for Kacheliba, commented, “This exercise is being abused. Everyone supports the program, but when officers overstep their mandate, they cause disruption and instill fear in our communities.”
There are growing calls for better communication and community engagement to ensure the disarmament process is both fair and effective.
Residents are urging the government to introduce programs that raise awareness about the law, issue proper warnings, and clarify the objectives of the operation to avoid misunderstandings and unnecessary harm.
As the operation continues, locals are appealing to authorities to reassess their strategy. They emphasize the need to rebuild trust and conduct the exercise in a way that achieves its intended purpose without causing further suffering or fear among citizens.
West Pokot Women Representative Rael Aleutum voiced her concerns, saying, “It is deeply upsetting that those who are supposed to promote peace and protect citizens are turning against us. We need a strategy that respects people and safeguards our communities.”
Residents hope that with careful review and improved oversight, the disarmament exercise can succeed in bringing peace to West Pokot without harming the very people it is meant to protect.
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