Narok County Commissioner (CC), Mr. Kipkech Lotiatia, has urged residents to follow safety instructions issued by authorities, as the country prepares for the anticipated El Niño rains expected between October and December.

Mr. Lotiatia said the government had put measures in place to minimize the risk of loss of life and destruction of property, urging the public to take warnings seriously.

He said compliance with all instructions issued by security and disaster management agencies and other actors would be particularly important in areas at risk of flooding, landslides and mudslides.

Speaking during celebrations to mark this year’s Mashujaa Day that were held at Esoit Naibor in Transmara South, the CC said the National Administration was working with the County government, development partners and humanitarian agencies to strengthen preparedness and response in areas within the devolved unit considered vulnerable to disasters.

He further gave an assurance that the government had stepped-up preparations to protect the 2026 national examinations and assessments from disruptions by the El Niño rains forecast during the examination season.

“The government will use a Whole-of-Government approach involving relevant stakeholders to respond to challenges arising from the weather, to avert disruptions to the examination and assessment processes Access Services,” stated Mr. Lotiatia.

The Administrator added, “Field officers from all the relevant ministries and agencies shall be on standby to provide whatever support that will be required to ensure that our processes run seamlessly and that none of our candidates are unnecessarily disadvantaged,”.

He indicated that the State had unveiled elaborate security and logistical measures to safeguard the integrity of the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) which scheduled to begin next week on Monday, October 26, 2026.

“We have embraced a multi-agency approach to deliver a seamless and credible examination process. All registered examination centres have been mapped to the nearest distribution points to guarantee secure and timely delivery of papers,” noted the CC.

He stated that preparations had been put in place to avert cases of cheating during the tests.

He assured parents that security personnel were on high alert ahead of the examinations. Mr. Lotiatia said various state agencies including National Government Administration Agency (NGAO) National Police Service (NPS), Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Narok were ready for the exercise to be administered by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC).

The CC assured that armed security officers will be deployed in all areas where test materials will be stored, administered and when on transit. He put on notice livestock thieves in the area and warned that those involved would face the law.

“Let them be warned that our law enforcers will catch up with them, and I can assure them that it will not be a pleasant experience for them,” vowed the Administrator.

He urged members of the public to be vigilant, especially when buying meat, to avoid consuming uninspected products adding that livestock thieves were targeting animals for slaughter or for sale to local butchers.

Mr. Lotiatia disclosed that the government has intensified the crackdown on suspected livestock thieves in the County following public outcry over the severity of losses encountered.

The Administrator vowed to ensure the culprits are dealt with as per the law and to have the crime stamped out in the county.

He noted that the crime has mutated from stealing livestock to slaughtering the animals in the pens and carrying the steak in the dead of the night.

He, however, urged locals not to take the law into their hands and resort to mob justice to register their frustrations when they catch suspected criminals.

“No one should take the law into their own hands; they should be taken through a court process, and in the process of interrogation, it helps appreciate the depth and network of cattle rustlers,” he affirmed.

The County Commissioner further read the riot act to law enforcement officers and local administrators who allow the sale of illicit brew as well as drugs and substance abuse in their jurisdiction.

He said the use of alcoholic and narcotic substances has contributed to the rise of many forms of crime in the society.

He warned that each administrator right from the Deputy County Commissioner, Assistant County Commissioner to the Chiefs and their Assistants will be held personally responsible for any illicit brews and drug and substance cases reported in their jurisdiction.

He further appealed to members of the public to volunteer information on illicit brew dealers and drug dealers to local chiefs, police stations and local leaders to enable police to take stern action against them.

Mr. Lotiatia warned traders dealing in dangerous brews that they will soon face the full force of the law.

“We are working with religious leaders, national government administrators and security agencies to confront the manufacture, distribution and consumption of illicit liquor. Alcohol and substance abuse are a major threat to young people and families,”.

Governor Patrick Keturet Ole Ntutu, warned men against marrying girls young enough to be their daughters and granddaughters and instead encourage a culture of education for girls and women.

Governor Ntutu said there should be no fun in a man marrying a young girl instead of letting her pursue her education and make something meaningful out of her life.

“It is very disrespectful for old men to disregard their age and insist on marrying young women, knowing very well that they have no physical or financial stamina to sustain such unions. They have refused to accept that age has caught up with them and they think marrying small girls will change that,” he indicated.

The men who wish to add more wives, he advised, should go for mature women instead of imprisoning young, naive girls.

“Young girls should be left to stay in school and make something out of their lives before they marry. I hope my fellow elders will heed to this,” he added.

Mr. Ntutu said such practices are retrogressive and can only drag communities behind. He said his office will not hesitate to use such men as an example by ensuring they are prosecuted and jailed for marrying children.

“As long as that girl is not yet 18 years old, she is a child and is protected by law. If you marry her, we will pressure law enforcement agencies to lock you up,” said Mr. Ntutu.

He rallied Kenyans against dishonesty, passionately advocating integrity. He urged Kenyans to be heroes “in every action and in every word”.

Borrowing heavily from Chapter 10 of the Constitution on National Values, the Governor said Kenya’s contemporary heroes are those who shun greed, personal comfort and advancement for the sake of the country’s greater good.

The County Boss emphasized the need for patriotism, integrity, unity, social justice and hard-work among Kenyans.

By Emily Kadzo