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The security operation to eradicate banditry in the North Rift has resulted in the recovery of 148 firearms, with 96 of them surrendered voluntarily in Samburu County.

In an operation update at the weekend, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to eliminating banditry in the region.

Kindiki said 31 suspects had been arrested and that the government had interdicted Charles Lopoda, the Assistant Chief of Mukemar sub-location, and he will be arrested and charged today.

He warned that any government officer found aiding or abetting banditry and cattle rustling will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Illegal guns were recovered in a period of three weeks, he said.

He also revealed that 48 goats which had been stolen had been recovered, with the police continuing to search for 169 goats and 15 cows which are still missing.

Speaking at a joint security meeting in Longewan, the CS said the government will invest Sh20 billion in modernization of equipment for security.

Kindiki commended Samburu residents for heeding the government’s call to surrender illegal firearms, saying President William Ruto’s administration would continue to partner with the public to end insecurity in the country.

“The government appreciates residents of Samburu County who have surrendered 96 guns and hundreds of ammunition in the last few weeks. The intelligence-led security operation will continue until all criminals are flushed out of their hideouts,” Kindiki stated.

“All guns illegally in the hands of civilians must be recovered. The multi-agency security team pursuing armed criminals and bandits in the North Rift Valley region will continue to partner with residents to identify and disarm criminals.”

Gachagua’s call

The remarks by the CS come amidst calls by leaders to restore peace in six counties including Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwt, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu which have been declared disturbed and dangerous.

Meanwhile, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has defended the proposed housing fund contribution of 3 per cent saying it is a way of creating more jobs for the youth while dignifying Kenyans who have no homes.

Speaking during the inaugural graduation at Mukurwe-ni Technical Training Institute, Nyeri County, Gachagua said the affordable housing pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda is designed to create jobs for the youth in the various chains of distribution of goods and services.

“The affordable housing pillar of our Plan has two phases. Building over 200,000 house units annually will enable Kenyans to live in dignity. With each housing  requiring an average of eight artisans, it will also create over 1.6 million job opportunities,” he said.

The Deputy President asked  Kenyans to support the proposed three per cent contribution from employees saying it is a proactive way of supplementing the government’s efforts of solving unemployment, especially now that resources are being invested in Technical, Vocational and Educational Training Institutions (TVETs).

He said the Kenya Kwanza Administration will continue funding these institutions, which offer skills for students not only for self-employment, but also to encourage entrepreneurship. This will create jobs for others beyond the students, hence more impact to the community.