Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki has announced that a multi-agency security team deployed in the North Rift Valley has successfully managed to drive away bandits in the troubled areas.

Speaking during his visit to the Operation Maliza Uhalifu Command Centre at Chemolingot, Tiaty in Baringo county Saturday, April 29, 2023, Kindiki said the security officers had successfully counteracted bandits by dominating their hideouts in gorges, ravines, escarpments and hills.

He also assured Kenyans of safety in banditry-prone areas clarifying that plans were underway to ensure that maximum security is upheld in the regions aforementioned.

“It is the Government’s assurance that all those criminals will never be allowed back there. Our officers from Kenya Defence Forces and the National Police Service are working together seamlessly to ensure that the ongoing operation to pacify the North Rift Valley region succeeds,” he stated.

The gorges, ravines, escarpments, and hills where the armed criminals and bandits were hiding are no longer their territory. We have flushed them out, and our security officers have dominated that territory.

It is the Government assurance that all those criminals will never be… pic.twitter.com/x7ncVyincN

— Kithure Kindiki (@KindikiKithure) April 29, 2023

The CS also lauded the multi-agency security team for its efforts in ending banditry in the affected areas and enhancing security.

“The Government commends security officers in the frontline for their dedication, diligence, and commitment,” he said.

Kindiki added that the security officers deployed will remain in the region even after the ongoing operation Maliza Uhalifu is completed.

“To bolster the operation, the Government has established a security camp at Kolowa, at the border of Tiaty Constituency in Baringo County and Marakwet East in Elgeyo Marakwet County. The camp has specialised security officers and will remain active even after the ongoing operation Maliza Uhalifu,” the CS added.

At the same time, Kindiki asserted that the government will establish five schools around the region to ensure that children from Pokot and Marakwet school together in efforts to reduce hostility between the communities.