Cabinet Secretary for Defence Aden Duale Monday gazetted deploying of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in banditry-prone areas.
In a gazette notice dated February 13, 2023, the CS said the KDF will be deployed to support the National Police Service in response to security emergencies in Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia, and Samburu counties occasioned by rampant incidences of banditry.
The KDF will be deployed starting February 15.
Parliament is expected to ratify the deployment from Wednesday, officials said.
This came hours after president William Ruto had ordered the KDF to be deployed in the banditry-prone areas.
Ruto also announced a three-day voluntary disarmament exercise starting Tuesday.
This will allow for the surrender of guns with no repercussions.
Cases of banditry have soured in the past months leading to CS interior Kithure Kindiki camping in the areas in the quest to restore peace.
Some schools are reported to remain closed as teachers and learners are attacked in some areas.
Kindiki on Monday said over 100 civilians and 16 police officers have been brutally murdered by marauding bandits and livestock rustling terrorists in the Northern Rift Valley region of Kenya.
He also declared parts of North Rift that have been affected by insecurity are disturbed and dangerous.
This will pave way for a planned operation against the gunmen behind attacks hiding there.
