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Efforts have been stepped up to fight banditry in the North Rift, blamed for the loss of more than 200 people in the past one year.

Among other measures, the government has ordered the reinstatement of 300 National Police Reservists (NPRs) and the enlistment of another 150 to bolster security in Kerio Valley.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said that chiefs and their assistants in banditry-prone areas will be armed with five police officers each.

Prof Kindiki, who toured the restive valley following the killing of two students on New Year’s Day by armed bandits, declared war on the criminals saying the government would deploy the military to restore calm.

It is sad that bandits have had a field day in the area, killing innocent people. I’m warning them that this is the end of their game,” warned Prof Kindiki, who spoke at Chesongoch accompanied by top security chiefs in Rift Valley.

Military operation

We will use all means to ensure that the bandits are brought to book. We are going to use all forces .. .a military operation is imminent. We will use all our uniformed officers to make sure that order is restored,” added the CS.

He commended local leaders for their efforts to restore peace and promised them more support.

 Your leaders have really tried. I would like to commend Governor Wesley Rotich for his efforts in trying to restore sanity in this area,” said Prof Kindiki. 

His Roads and Infrastructure counterpart, Kipchumba Murkomen, said his ministry would open up roads in Kerio for easy access of security officers.

Governor Rotich said it was regrettable that a family was planning a funeral of two innocent daughters while others were preparing to send their children to school.

“The situation is so bad here. Many families have lost their loved ones at the hands of bandits while scores have been displaced from their homes,” said Governor Rotich.

“I’m happy that the CS has taken into account our recommendations. Only a military operation and complete disarmament will end banditry in this region,” added Rotich.

Tension remains high in Ketut in Marakwet East Sub-County following the Sunday killing of the two girls by bandits, who also made away with livestock.

Children shot down

The two, a Form Three student at Kabulwo Secondary School and her younger sister, who is a Class Seven pupil at Kabetwa Primary School, died after the bandits sprayed them with bullets while they were herding family livestock.

The girls’ father, Daniel Bowen, on Tuesday moved the crowd to tears after he narrated how he lost his daughters in cold blood. 

“We’ve not been allowing our children to look after livestock due to rampant insecurity. But on Sunday, I told them to herd the animals while I run some errands. That was the last time to see them alive,” said a teary Bowen. 

The bandits drove the family’s more than 70 cows towards the neighboring Tiaty sub-county.

 Ironically, the attack happened as leaders and clerics from Elgeyo-Marakwet and West Pokot counties converged at Kapsait grounds for the annual peace prayers for the neighboring Pokot and Marakwet communities.

Murkomen, Rotich and Marakwet East MP David Bowen later visited the home to condole with the family. 

“Security personnel should move with speed and ensure that the attackers are brought to book and all stolen livestock recovered.  We recently tested a surveillance drone at Tot, which will aid security officers in tracing and trailing bandits,” said Governor Rotich.