The Chairperson of the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security Hon. Gabriel Togoyo (Narok West) has assured residents of Laikipia North Constituency that the Government is committed to flushing out cattle rustlers hiding in Mokogodu Forest.

Speaking in two separate public engagements with residents of Nadung'oru in Lokirut Location and Ol-Tepesi in Nasiang'a, Hon. Tongoyo together with the area MP, Hon. Sara Korere and Hon. Fred Kapondi (Mt. Elgon) who were in the region to listen to the concerns of the people who were displaced from their homes inside the forest to allow a police operation aimed at flushing out bandits, told the residents that the Committee would make strong recommendations to guide the Government on how to end banditry in the region. 

"We are here because your Member of Parliament Hon. Sarah Korere informed us of the sad situation here. I want to urge the County Commissioner to pull all efforts towards ensuring the security situation is restored”, the chair urged.

“As the Committee in charge of security, we have made a strong call to the relevant Government Agencies to facilitate you with the necessary security support. We shall be asking that you are provided with relief food, water and medication even as you wait for the resumption of calmness for you to go back to your homes", Hon. Tongoyo told the residents .

Sharing his experience with the residents, Hon. Kapondi underscored the need for residents to cooperate with the security agencies for normalcy to resume.

"Just like what we saw in Mt. Elgon some years back, this problem will end. We thank you for accepting the Government's call to leave the forest to allow the security agencies to flush out bandits. I call upon you to be patient and to cooperate with security agencies so as to achieve what we achieved in Mt. Elgon”, Hon. Kapondi said.

The residents of Ol-Tepesi and Nadung'oru requested the Committee to facilitate the establishment of mobile schools -since they are currently staying in camps, more police reservists, and water. They also called for Bokish police camp to be moved to Lekurut Conservancy and Dororot camp where bandits from Isiolo and Samburu hide stolen livestock before making their way to Mokogodu Forest. 

The County Police Commander Mr. John Nyoike told Members that despite escalating a security operation dubbed ‘Operation Fagia Mokogodu’, police are experiencing challenges of poor roads, lack of surveillance choppers and lack of hard skilled vehicles. 

The Members assured the security team that they would continue to advocate for the security agencies to be properly kitted to navigate the difficult terrains through Mokogodu Forest.