Kindiki tours of troubled North Rift and Marsabit

Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki toured parts of the troubled North Rift as part of efforts to address the frequent insecurity incidents there.
He is also scheduled to visit parts of Marsabit County to witness the deteriorating situation amid calls for continued operations in the region.
Dozens of people have been killed in the regions and others displaced in attacks by gunmen who also escaped with animals.
The government has deployed hundreds of officers in the regions as part of efforts to address the menace.
On November 18, Kindiki visited Samburu County and launched specialized training for 300 National Police Reservists who will complement special police units deployed to combat banditry and cattle rustling in the North Rift.
The CS who was accompanied by local leaders announced a multi-pronged approach targeting a permanent end to cyclic conflicts that have dotted the region.
North Rift chiefs and their assistants will also be armed subject to relevant training alongside a surge of deployed manpower with officers authorized to discharge maximum firepower against armed outlaws.
President William Ruto issued an order for security agencies to deal firmly, decisively and conclusively with those involved in the attacks and cattle rustling.

The Kerio Valley stretch has in the past 13 years left up to 70 police officers and dozens of residents dead. Several animals have also been stolen in the period.

Attempts by successive governments to rein in on the gangs in the volatile area have bore no fruit.

The most deadly attack was in 2009 where 40 officers were killed followed by the 2014 incident where 21 others were killed in similar ambushes.

The Head of State urged local leaders to engage their people in order to combat lawlessness, which has hampered education and development and caused tension among communities.

“We must do whatever it takes to bring peace to the North Rift. Many people are peaceful but there are a few criminals who must stop or we will force them to stop.”

The President said the government is in the process of reopening schools in the region that had been closed due to insecurity.

“I visited the 20 affected schools, and they must reopen. We adore the people of this area. We are requesting that they leave the criminals to us. The question is not whether they will stop, but when,” he said.
Ruto regretted that banditry had contributed to the region’s food insecurity, leaving most households reliant on donations.

On the other hand, Kindiki is scheduled to visit parts of Marsabit on Wednesday November 23 to witness chaos there.
He will engage local leaders in talks to find a solution to the persistent insecurity there.
The region is facing continuous attacks and counter attacks from gunmen over political differences and inter-communal clashes.