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Cracks have emerged in the ongoing security operation to flush out bandits wreaking havoc in the restive North Rift with some security personnel carrying out the exercise said to be leaking out vital information to the criminals.

Some leaders from the region have sensationally claimed that the exercise has not achieved much as some elements involved in the operation, which is being carried out by a multi-agency team including the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the Kenya Police are colluding with bandits.

At least eight people have been shot dead in the past week alone in Baringo, Samburu, Turkana, West Pokot and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties casting doubts on the viability of the ongoing operation which commenced two weeks ago.

Mochongoi ward (Baringo) Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Kipruto Kimosop whose ward has borne the full brunt of the bloodletting with four people being shot dead in a week was the first to raise the red flag.

“President William Ruto should not be duped that there is an ongoing operation in the North Rift. Nothing is going on here to be sincere. We fear there are some elements leaking vital security operation to the criminals,” claimed Kimosop.

“How can you explain a situation where immediately the officers leave a place after their patrols, bandits strike almost immediately? Posed Kimosop.

Disgruntled elements

The leaders have claimed disgruntled elements in the security cycles were alerting the bandits to cease fire in place where the officers carrying out patrols would be passing.

During one of the attacks in Yatya, Baringo North Sub-County last week for instance, a 10-year-old boy was shot three times by bandits while he was looking after livestock.

 Residents who spoke to People Daily said that the attackers were hiding in  nearby bushes and waited for KDF Amoured Personnel Courier (APC) that was patrolling the area to pass, before striking.

 “The bandits were over 10 and they hid in the bushes and waited for the officers to pass before staging the attack on broad daylight which saw us scamper for safety. The government should take this operation exercise with the seriousness it deserves,” said Thomas Kiburet, a resident.

 The bandits believed to be from the neighboring community also made away with 42 heads of cattle which they drive towards Tiaty sub-county. The boy is receiving treatment at the Baringo County Referral Hospital.

 People Daily has established that a senior police officer in Baringo County is under investigation over allegations of aiding and abetting banditry in the region.

According to a detective privy to the probe, the officer is alleged to have communicated with people believed to be bandits informing them of a planned visit to the operation zone by the Air Force commander.

Investigations

“Initial investigation show that he instructed the daring criminals to cease fire as they would have been met with air strikes had they staged any attack on Friday,” the detective who preferred anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter told People Daily.

Security experts have called for the investigation of retired soldiers and security personnel still serving and those who left the disciplined forces especially those serving in the provincial administration from banditry prone counties.

“Ordinarily these are civil servants who should be assisting the government identify where livestock which pass though their locations after raids are. They very well know those behind the raids but why haven’t volunteered to the information to the government?” asked Col (Rtd) Moses Kwonyike.