Africa-Press – Kenya. A slain General Service Unit (GSU) officer killed by suspected Pokot bandits in Turkana was on Monday laid to rest in an emotional send-off at his Bomet home.
Dennis Chepkwony,34, was among the three officers killed during an exchange of fire with the bandits in the Kaakong area, Turkana South on February 10.
Seven others escaped with injuries during the incident.
The Recce squad officers from Turkwel camp were part of a multi-agency team that had been mobilised to help fight the bandits who had ambushed a Lodwar-bound Public Service Vehicle along the route.
Eulogising the fallen officer, Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok who had joined the mourners during the ceremony defended the government over the decision to deploy KDF to the area.
Barchok told off those opposed to it saying police officers also have the right to life just like other Kenyans and bandits must be dealt with ‘mercilessly’.
He said many lives have in past until lately been lost due to runaway banditry in various parts of the country and it was time to deal with them exhaustively.
“Watu lazima wakule risasi tunaongea tukiwa na uchungu mwingi sana, huyu ni mtoto ambaye amewacha familia ndogo sana halafu tunaambiwa ati human rights, kwani huyu ofisa hana rights ya kuishi?”
(Those bandits must be killed, we are speaking here today with our hearts heavy over the loss of this young man because he has left a young family. Is he not entitled to life?”)
Opposition leader Raila Odinga and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) criticised President William Ruto terming the deployment as illegal and unconstitutional.
Barchok dared LSK president Eric Theuri to make good his threat of moving to court to overturn the decision saying there was no reverse noting as leaders they fully support it.
Assistant superintendent of police Simon Lokitari who represented GSU commandant Douglas Kanja described the late officer as a dedicated servant.
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