The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has called for investigations into alleged assaults and house torchings during a security operation in West Pokot, where the circumstances and motive of the incident remain unclear.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In a statement released on Sunday, September 20, the Commission said residents in Nasolot and Sarmach areas of Pokot Central were allegedly assaulted and houses torched on September 17.

KNCHR urged the National Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to conduct prompt, independent and impartial investigations into the reported violence.

“We call for an oversight mechanism to monitor multi-agency security teams and ensure that disarmament and security operations comply with human rights standards and remain lawful and proportionate," the statemnet read.

📌 What You Need to Know

The concerns come amid an ongoing disarmament operation in West Pokot targeting illegal firearms and encouraging residents to voluntarily surrender weapons. In March, the National Police Service reported that 97 firearms and 193 rounds of ammunition had been recovered in the county.

Residents have, however, raised concerns over the conduct of the operation, with some accusing security officers of using unnecessary and excessive force.

They have questioned whether the exercise is being implemented in line with directives from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

The residents have also pointed to the government's stated intelligence-led approach, which was intended to focus operations on identified suspects rather than entire communities. The allegations have consequently raised questions over how the disarmament exercise is being implemented on the ground.

KNCHR's call came amid renewed insecurity along the Turkana-West Pokot border, where the Commission reported loss of life, theft of hundreds of livestock and destruction of houses in communities including Kakong, Aroo, Lokwar/Nakuse, Romos, Morita, Ompolion and Kases.

The Commission further cited a September 11 gun attack on a passenger vehicle near Kakong’u along the Lodwar-Kapenguria Highway, in which three passengers were reportedly injured.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke