The Turkana human rights defenders have issued concerns regarding attacks on travellers plying the Lodwar-Kitale highway.
In a statement shared, the lobby group decried the recent attacks launched on drivers by bandits in the region.
They noted that the insecurity was now affecting school-going children who use the roads affected as they head home. They subsequently called on the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to intervene and enhance security in the region in order to safeguard the rights of the people of Turkana.
“The Turkana Drivers Association informs us that 6 drivers have been killed since the operation began. There have also been reports of convoys being stopped and torched by bandits and the shooting to death of a student killed and a daughter of a patient killed while going to seek cancer treatment in Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu county,” the statement reads in parts.
“The insecurity is violating Turkana and other people’s right to security of the person, right to life, freedom of movement, right to food and socio-economic rights. The National Government should ensure the safety of the highway to facilitate the above rights,” the statement added.
The group further addressed the reported attacks by the Uganda security forces on the Turkana people in Lokeriaut Kraal in the Moroto district, Uganda.
The lobby expressed its disappointment in the arrest of citizens detained in Uganda and subsequently called for their release.
While condemning the incident, they reiterated that the National government and the Ministry of foreign affairs should intervene and take charge of the situation.
“We are also concerned about the reported attacks by the Uganda security forces of Turkana people in Lokeriaut Kraal in Moroto district in Uganda two weeks ago. Men, women and children have been shot and injured including reports of deaths. Furthermore, 32 persons were arrested, court-martialed and convicted in Uganda. They were sentenced to 20 years in prison.
“We as Human Rights Defenders in Turkana are concerned that a foreign government can subject Kenyans to court-martials. Moreover, they have been denied the right to a fair trial which cannot be limited under our constitution. We, therefore, call upon the National Government and the Ministry of foreign affairs to facilitate the release of the citizens,” the statement added.
