The government has embarked on the vetting of National Police Reservists (NPRs) in the banditry-prone North Rift in a bid to root out criminal elements among them.

This is after it emerged that some of them were colluding with criminal elements to terrorise residents in the region.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said those who will not meet the criteria will have their services withdrawn and not issued with firearms.

“We appreciate the crucial role NPRs contribute in assisting our security personnel to beef up security, but we want to ensure that only the disciplined ones serve,” said Murkomen.

He said the state is also in the process of establishing a clearer command structure and improving the welfare of the NPRs, which will include enhanced stipend and medical cover.

This comes amid claims that some NPRS were misusing their firearms by hiring out to bandits, which has been blamed for a surge in insecurity in the region.

The CS spoke during a security meeting at Chesongoch area in Elgeyo Marakwet County attended by security teams from Marakwet East, Baringo West, Tiaty, Kerio Valley and Pokot Central sub-counties as part of the government’s efforts to consolidate peace in Kerio Valley.

Among those who attended the security meeting were Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr Abdi Hassan, Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) commandant Joseph Limo and Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Jasper Ombati.

Others included County Commissioners: Abdullahi Khalif (West Pokot), John Korir (Elgeyo Marakwet) and Stephen Kutwa (Baringo), among others. Murkomen announced a raft of reforms in the security sector which will include the licensing of chiefs who have undergone paramilitary training, and whose security is demonstrably at risk, to possess firearms.

The CS also handed over a new vehicle to Kerio Valley Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner Ezekiel Amonde to beef up security in the area.

Murkomen said the operation ‘Maliza Uhalifu’ (OMU) rolled out in the North Rift early last year has registered significant progress with schools that had been closed in Kerio Valley reopening and business activities resuming.

‘There are, however, still cases of criminality that we must address. We will deal firmly with all criminal elements who think they can continue wreaking havoc in the region,” said Murkomen.

At least 10 people have been shot dead in the banditry-prone North Rift in the past two months alone, with armed criminals now resorting to ambushing motorists on major highways in the region.

This is sharp contrast to the traditional way where they used to raid villages for livestock.

Just last week, two traders were shot dead at Loberer area along Loruk-Marigat road sparking protests among locals who barricaded Nakuru-Marigat road for hours.