MP Arrested after DCI officers raid his home

Kamket was arrested on Wednesday, September 8 as the authorities intensify the crackdown on banditry in the area.

Police officers picked him during a raid at his home in Tiaty, Baringo County.

Baringo County Police Commander Robinson Ndiwa said the MP was driven to DCI offices in Nakuru where he will be questioned over the ongoing skirmishes that have left hundreds of Kenyans displaced.

This comes just hours after former Laikipia North MP Matthew Lempurkel has been arrested.

The former legislator was arrested at his home in Rongai, Kajiado County on Wednesday morning by officers attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Tiaty MP William Kamket arrested over Kapedo bandit attacks Pulse Live Kenya

Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya said that leaders from the area were to blame for the ongoing attacks.

He accused the local leaders of financing the youth and arming them with guns and other weapons.

"We have received reports that some of the owners of the livestock are saying they remove them from the ranches and bring 500 Morans to fight with the security officers. This means that these are planned attacks to ensure the area has no peace," Natembeya said.

On Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta declared Laikipia Nature Conservancy and its environs as security disturbed areas therefore security operation zone.

National Police Service statement on the Laikipia Situation

1. On 6th September 2021 , the National Security Council declared Laikipia Nature Conservancy and its environs a disturbed area and therefore a security operation zone.

2. This was owing to continued insecurity as a result of rampant banditry arising from competition for water and pastures, as well as a surge illegal gun ownership which escalated the violence.

Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Geroge Natembeya Pulse Live Kenya

3. Following this declaration, a multi-agency security operation team was immediately

deployed to contain the situation, flush out the illegal herders, bandits and restore normalcy.

4. Security patrols within the zone have intensified and mass exodus of illegal herders have been reported indicating success of the operation so far, with the security situation remaining calm.

5. Contrary to media reports on 7th September 2021, a store belonging to Merigwiti Primary School containing wood and construction material caught fire, but was promptly put out by security officers patrolling the vicinity.

The fire slightly damaged the roof of the store but no injury was recorded. The case is being investigated as an attempted arson. The school at the time had no students as it had been closed due to insecurity in the area.