Kindiki orders operation to flush out bandits along Meru–Isiolo border
By Dorcas.Mbatia, May 2, 2023
Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki has ordered an immediate security operation exercise in the bandit-prone zone along Meru–Isiolo counties border.
This came a few days after a former area Member of County (MCA) George Kaliunga and seven others were shot and killed in cold blood by suspected bandits and hundreds of livestock were stolen in different incidences in Igembe North.
Kindiki who was speaking at Antubetwe Kiongo on Tuesday, May 2 declared the affected area as a crime operation scene following the increased cases of cattle rustling and killings in several areas in Meru County.
“We cannot continue losing lives and livestock to bandits anymore. It is enough there is no way a small group of illegally armed criminals can be more powerful than our trained security personnel and our machinery.
“I want to put to rest this perennial menace in this region one and for all,” tough-talking Kindiki said.
He said a team of well-trained personnel will be released to fight the insecurity in the area and flash out the bandits.
The CS made the declaration after tension was mounted by locals who refused to be addressed by the CS demanding locals from their neighbouring Isiolo County who had attended the peace meeting to leave.
They accused the residents who included elders and women leaders of being hypocrites and harboring bandits whom they claimed comes from Samburu, Turkana, and Borana communities.
Kindiki’s intervention
It took the intervention of the CS who ordered their evacuation by the security team after the crowd charged against them.
He made the call after the locals asked the CS to allow them to be armed accusing the police in the region of failing to execute their mandates and eradicate the perennial cattle rustling menace.
“I can assure you this will be a story of the past. Do not blame the ordinary police for this because the medicine for the bandits is a special well-trained personal that we are releasing for the operation just like we did in Rift Valley,” the CS added.
He said Meru County is among the 15 counties greatly affected by the cattle rustling with six areas mapped for the security operation.
“It a big shame for me to head the security docket while my home county is affected and people are being killed and animals stolen by criminals now and then. This one I must put to an end,” he added.
While accompanied by area Senator Kathuri Murungi, MPs Kirima Nguchine (Imenti Central) and Mugambi Ridikiri (Buuri), and a team of regional security officers, Kindiki at the same time issues a stern warning to the security team in the area noting an action will be taken on any officer found sleeping on his or her job.
This was after the irate locals accused area senior police officers of conspiring with criminals before demanding their transfer.
He further called on speedy investigations over the killing of the politicians who were shot dead at Kinna in Isiolo County while he had accompanied the police on a search for 71 cattle that had been stolen by the suspected Borana bandits on Saturday, April 29.
“I am ordering an immediate investigation and proof of the killing of the MCA because I know his death was not normal.
“Some people could have planned to kill him because he was always vocal on cattle rustling issues and he personally accompanied the police on stolen livestock recovery exercises all the time,” he noted.
He called on Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and other security agencies to move with speed and arrest the culprits whom he said will face the full force of the law.
Kindiki said the time has come when Kenyan leaders need to stop giving fake promises and empty lies to Kenyans and instead deliver to them.
“I understand the pain you have been going through. Many lives have been lost for many years. This is because some leaders only have a tendency of talking without action and the people of Kenya are getting tired “ he said.
The former Tharaka Nithi senator further announced that an anti- stock theft unit will be established in Mutuati and 200 more National Police Reservists (NPR) will be added
He at the same time said two police posts in the area will be elevated to a police station and more police officers will be deployed in the region to help curb cattle rustling crisis.