Investors moving out of Samburu over insecurity

Investors in Samburu have expressed concerns over increased insecurity in the region which, they say, is threatening the business environment.

Samburu Investors Forum, which represents tens of investors in the county,  said endless banditry activities and burglaries pose a major challenge to business.

According to the forum's chairperson, Mr Joe Mithamo, a majority of investors have closed down businesses in parts of the county, especially Samburu North.

Mr Mithamo also said insecurity is putting off potential investors in the county.

"Samburu has the potential to grow rapidly but it has a bad reputation of banditry. One cannot invest where security is not guaranteed," Mr Mithamo told the Nation.

He said the frequent banditry attacks have paralysed transportation of supplies to the region, thus affecting businesses in Morijo, Marti and Baragoi towns.

He said the region is endowed with numerous resources but investors and the business community are unable to tap them for fear of insecurity.

There have been rampant Incidents of truck drivers being waylaid and robbed of their supplies, sometimes resulting in fatalities.

For instance, this year alone, two businessmen in Baragoi have been killed in cold blood while others have been robbed of money and goods. 

As a result, many hotels, lodges, shops and eateries have closed down, with many more facing closure. Those still in operation don't open for business past 6pm.

Mr Mithamo said that many people have fled Baragoi town to safer places.

"Nobody wants to come to Baragoi anymore because this place has become very dangerous. Here, nobody is safe. This situation poses a major business challenge and the future of business in the region is not promising," he said.

Mr Mithamo said the unfriendly business environment in Samburu is hurting businesses in the region.

He also raised concern about uncollected garbage, matatu menace, street children, bad sewerage system and the poor state of roads in Maralal town.

Government blamed

Samburu North MP Alois Lentoimaga blamed the government for failing to end banditry.

He said Baragoi has turned into a ''ghost'' town as residents flee for fear of their lives.

The legislator criticised State security organs for not taking necessary action to address the situation in Baragoi.

"Many businesses have been closed down and more are likely to close. Security here is bad yet the State is not doing much to address the situation," the MP told the Nation.

"The situation in Samburu North is getting worse and people here are really suffering. Businesses cannot flourish in the midst of banditry," Mr Lentoimaga said.

The legislator also said there are many guns  in the wrong hands.

He said the county has, for long, been marginalised despite its many natural resources.

"We have the potential to harness the resources but, due to insecurity, potential investors have shunned Samburu North. Those who were here have left and others are leaving," he said.