Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has announced a heightened crackdown on bandits in the troubled North Rift counties.

Speaking at Sarara area in Elgeyo Marakwet County on Monday, March 4, CS Kindiki said the government had deployed specialized forces to boost ongoing operation ‘Maliza Uhalifu’ in six bandit-prone counties.

The CS noted that the teams are currently pursuing commanders, and financiers of banditry to tame constant attacks reported in the region.

“Those who are perpetuating this criminal behaviour, be they from the Marakwet side, where we are now, or from the Pokot side, we are going to track them and use whatever methods possible to make sure that we disable them before they continue hurting the people of Kenya,” Kindiki warned, adding that banditry had been categorised together with terrorism.

He regreted the deaths of deaths and injuries witnessed in the recent past and urged locals to volunteer information on persons aiding the criminal activities.

The government had in February last year flagged six counties in the region as ‘disturbed’ and ‘dangerous’. The counties are Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwt, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu.

Kindiki further noted that the relocation of security operation camps along the Kerio Valley ordered by the government last year had significantly enhanced peace and security in Marakwet East Constituency.

“The sustainability of the prevailing situation requires scaling up of the current operation to apprehend and bring to account bandit commanders and those who administer oaths and rituals to the livestock raiders as well as taming political incitement,” he added.

MCA killed by bandits

Kindiki’s remarks come a week after a Member of the County Assembly of Samburu County was shot dead by suspected bandits at Soit Pus on Maralal-Baragoi Highway

Police said Angata Nanyekie MCA Paul Leshimpiro was on his way home when he was ambushed by the gunmen on Sunday morning, February 25.

At the time of the incident, the Jubilee party MCA was in the company of his driver, who escaped unhurt.

Leshimpiro was among outspoken leaders from the Samburu region who have been on the front line in calling for decisive action against the banditry in the North Rift counties.

In January, the ward representative called on President William Ruto to swing into action and put an end to the illegal activities that have claimed many lives in the recent past.

The MCA spoke after gunmen stormed the burial ceremony of a National Police Reservist (NPR) and shot at the mourners, killing one person on the spot.

The NPR officer, who was being laid to rest, had also been killed by the bandits.

“This morning, we were trying to call the security personnel because there was an issue of another killing. A second person is dying today while we are burying another one,” Leshimpiro said.

“Mr. President, you don’t have to wait any further; you need to take action. Don’t suggest to us that you are less powerful than a bandit,” he lamented.