DCI Arrest, Question MP David Pkosing Ahead Of KDF Operation
Pkosing was accused of incitement which was viewed to have immediately triggered...
Marvin Chege 
Detectives drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are currently locked in interrogations with Pokot South Member of Parliament David Pkosing after they arrested him on Thursday, February 16.
The lawmaker was arrested from the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) in Nairobi on Thursday afternoon and taken to the DCI headquarters in Kiambu Road for questioning to establish his connection to the outbreak of skirmishes in West Pokot County.
Reports indicated that Pkosing was accused of incitement which was viewed to have immediately triggered the reported clashes in the region.
Officers outside the entrance of the DCI headquarters. /FILE
The DCI was also looking to uncover more information that would help security forces quell the rampant insecurity situation in the North Rift.
Several MPs from West Pokot trooped to the DCI headquarters along Kiambu road in solidarity with the lawmaker. They included Senator Julius Murgor, Woman Rep Rael Leotum, Sigor MP Peter Lokachapong, North Pokot MP Titus Lotee and Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto.
DCI was however yet to issue a progress report on Pkosing's arrest as well as his next course of action after his interrogation.
The arrest comes a day before the official commencement of the joint operation between the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers and Kenya Police Service officers as ordered by President William Ruto on Monday, February 13.
In addition, he also announced a three-day voluntary disarmament exercise starting February 14 which will allow for the surrender of guns with no repercussions.
"We will deal firmly with the drivers of illegal arms in the country. This is necessary and urgent, particularly in the North Rift.
"We must always endeavour to nurture peace for the transformation of our country," stated Ruto in part.
In addition, the President ordered the Ministry of Defence and Interior to mount an operation to solve the banditry menace completely after a series of deadly attacks in parts of Kenya's northern frontier.
Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki later revealed that in the last six months, over 100 civilians and 16 police officers had been killed in bandit attacks, adding that the murderous gangs have in the recent past escalated their terror on innocent Kenyans and law enforcement agencies and in the process burnt down schools, police vehicles and other social amenities.
The Interior Ministry also reiterated President Ruto's announcement of the three-day voluntary disarmament exercise targeting those who hold illegal firearms and ammunition. Kindiki added that those who fail to surrender the guns within the stipulated time will face the full force of the law.
Moreover, he declared total war on banditry in six hotspot counties where a combined security operation comprising the police and military has been ordered.
The CS further imposed a 30-day dusk-to-dawn curfew in some of the areas affected by banditry in the counties of Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu as a corrective and deterrent measure.
