Samburu East Member of Parliament Raphael Letimalo (left) Samburu West and Samburu North counterparts Lati Lelelit (c) and Alois Lentoimaga following court proceedings keenly inside a court room at Milimani Law Courts on Wednesday November 30,2016.
BY SAM ALFAN.
High Court has extended orders stopping security operation in Laikipia until 20th of next month when the case will come up for mention.
Kenya National Commission on Human rights, Independent Policing Oversight Authority together with Laikipia County government have been enjoined as parties in the case.
The court further directed the respondents who include CS Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery and Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett to file their response within 14 days.
The court stopped the security operation in Laikipia seeking to recover stolen livestock and bring peace between the warring communities after Members of the Samburu moved to court however arguing that that they have been unfairly targeted adding that they are being punished for the insecurity when other communities in the region are also to blame.
“Whenever there is a security operation in the area, it is the Samburu who are indiscriminately singled out for punishment when they are not solely to blame for the security situation in Laikipia County,” argued the petitioners.
“An injunction is issued stopping the impending security operation against the Samburu community residing in Laikipia County as illegally directed by the Interior CS and his Devolution Counterpart Mwangi Kiunjuiri,” ruled Muriithi.
The security operation was as a result of recent waves of insecurity and cattle rustling in Laikipia County which has led to lose of livestock and lives.
According to the lawyer, the Samburu people have been killed by police officers in past security operations and their cattle stolen in retaliation in a move aimed at ruining their economic survival.
The petitioners have also accused Nkaissery of giving illegal orders to the IG, stating that the police service is an independent institution and should not be at the whims of the executive to carry out unlawful activities.
They argue that the methods being used by police officers to restore order in Laikipia County are archaic and a total violation of human rights to dignity
