It’s end of road for bandits after new roads, Rotich says as he commissions new roads

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich has now said that bandits have no place to hide after he commissioned new roads.

Rotich commissioned a major road leading to Kamologon forest which has been a major hideout for bandits over the years.

He said it was practically the end of the road for criminals who have been taking refuge in the expansive Kamologon forest in Marakwet East.

The new road which will link Kapyego and West Pokot will now allow access to the forest, especially by security agencies.

Rotich said bandits often escaped into the forest after killing people and stealing livestock in Kapyego area.

“The forest is vast and once the bandits disappear inside, police officers have little to do. The new road will open up the area and security officers will be able to even conduct patrols at any time,” he said.

The governor said the county has dispatched a grader to work on the road until its completion.

He said he would spearhead the opening of more roads in the area while pushing for the improvement of the existing ones.

This comes after the county recently opened the 18-kilometre Kapchoge-Chepkoit road, which connects Kapyego and Embobut wards.

It is expected to improve accessibility and address security in the area.

The ongoing KDF-backed security operation in six counties affected by banditry has helped to restore calm in the last few months.

Rotich said the county would work with the national government to restart all projects that had stalled due to insecurity.

Tangul resident Simon Chepkutwo thanked the governor for his peace efforts terming the opening of the new road as a win against banditry.

“This new road will also help us transport our commodities to markets in our neighbouring counties. Bandits had used the forest to torment the residents,” he said.

“Immediately they get into the forest, it becomes difficult for security offers to trace them. They just disappear,” Mzee Chepkutwo said.

Mary Kemboi, another resident welcomed the move thanking the governor for the efforts to open up the forest.

“This is the right move. For the first time, I have seen seriousness in tacking banditry in Kamologon,” Kemboi said.

“Some of us had given up. Bandits had taken over the forest. We no longer fetch firewood in the forest. It was also our traditional pharmacy but the bandits had made the place inaccessible.”

Area Member of County Assembly Joseph Chebet said most businesses had closed shop in the area as a result of banditry and hoped that the new road would help address the runaway insecurity in the area.     BY THE STAR