Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki 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 disturbed and dangerous.
This will pave way for planned operation against the gunmen behind attacks hiding there.
The counties affected are Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu.
“Further, in exercise of the powers conferred under Article 241 (3) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya, read together with section 8(1) of the Public Order Act (Cap 56, Laws of Kenya) and sections 1 and 106(1) of the National Police Service (NPS) Act (Cap 11A, 2011) – I have today 13th of February 2023 declared through a Kenya Gazette Notice of even date, cerlain areas specified therein within Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu
Counties as “disturbed ” and “dangerous” areas triggering the legal consequences arising therefrom,” he said.
He said murderous gangs have in recent days escalated their terror on innocent Kenyans and law enforcement agencies and in the process burnt down schools, police vehicles and other social amenities, he added.
“During the attacks, hundreds of Kenyans have been displaced from their homes.”
Kindiki said the government has determined the security situation currently prevailing in the Northern Rift Valley Region as a National Emergency.
Accordingly, painful and decisive measures must be taken effective immediately, he said.
He ordered all persons across the country holding illegal firearms and or ammunition to surrender them immediately and
unconditionally within three days from the date hereof failure to which the culprits will meet the full force of the law.
There is planned operation in the area.
President William Ruto Monday ordered a joint security exercise between the National Police Service and the Kenya
Defence Forces against banditry in the troubled North Rift region.
Ruto also announced a three-day voluntary disarmament exercise starting Tuesday.
This will allow for the surrender of guns with no repercussions.