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{
    "id": 92505,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/92505/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 276,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Kapondi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 36,
        "legal_name": "Fred Chesebe Kapondi",
        "slug": "fred-kapondi"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, further, the Committee felt very strongly that the fire-fighting approach by the Government whereby security would be deployed to go and undertake a disarmament exercise has been tried many times but has not born any fruits. This is for the simple reason that we have communities bordering Kenya in Ethiopia who are armed. That has created a scenario that disarming Samburus or Boranas, for example, would leave them open to hostility and attack from the other communities that are on the Ethiopian border and who would easily get access to arms because of insecurity that is prevalent in those areas. Therefore, the Committee suggests very strongly that cattle rustling as a vice cannot be stopped by way of disarmament. The Government needs to undertake a multi-pronged approach if this vice has to stop. Stakeholders, local leaders and businessmen should all be brought on board so that the culture of tolerance is preached. The communities that live in these areas would then find a more harmonious way of living together and engaging in other income generating activities. Secondly, the Committee felt very strongly that the arms that the Government issued to the Kenya Police Reservists (KPR), particularly from the Borana and other communities should be immediately withdrawn since the exercise has pitted these communities against others like the Samburu and Turkana, hence fueling a kind of arms race, other criminal activities and tribal animosity. The KPR should be disarmed and a proper manner of recruitment, vetting and management be put in place to streamline the unit. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, this has to be done in consultation with the District Security Intelligence Committees (DSIC) of Isiolo North and Samburu East districts. Previously this was not the case and that is why those in possession of arms are people who are not properly vetted. Some of them have criminal backgrounds or they are friends of local politicians. This more or less, compromises security. The Government should, as a short term measure, carry out a complete disarmament. We are very particular on this. We have said disarmament has never been a solution and disarmament would never solve the issue of insecurity. What is required is pumping of resources to those areas and provision of security. However, in the short term, it is prudent that disarmament is carried out so that all the illegal arms and ammunition in the hands of the local communities are repossessed. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Committee further felt that the Government should engage the other neigbouring countries, particularly of Uganda, Southern Sudan and Ethiopia because these are the conduits through which arms come into our country. Disarming local communities inside Kenya without engaging these neigbouring countries is a futile exercise. This is because it is easier for these communities to be disarmed today and replenish the next few months because the security situation would force them to rearm themselves. This Committee felt that because cattle rustling has been very prevalent, the sponsors of this unending conflict in Samburu and Isiolo should be investigated and those found to be funding these warlike activities brought to book. It is understood that powerful politicians are sponsoring cattle rustling and arming some communities against others. This information is with the Government. It is very unfortunate because having the information and not taking action more or less creates a scenario where some believe there is some impunity. Therefore, it exacerbates insecurity in those areas."
}