Interior and National Administration CS Prof. Kithure Kindiki has warned perpetrators of banditry attacks that the government will not relent in dealing with the menace in a bid to restore lasting peace.
Kindiki was speaking when he visited Kiserian village, Mukutani ward, Baringo South Sub-County Monday, where a banditry attack was reported to have taken place last Sunday, though no casualties were reported as the security agents repelled the culprits on time.
The CS was accompanied by the Baringo County Commissioner Stephen Kutwa and area MP Charles Kamuren among other local leaders.
“We are warning all criminals that the security agents will deal with you as no one is above the law,” Kindiki affirmed.
However, the CS acknowledged efforts of the National Police Reservists (NPRs) and other security officers for their prompt response and promised to add more NPRs so as to restore lasting peace in the area as they were the first line of defense.
He also visited farms in Kasiela and Kapindusum villages in Tiaty, which residents had abandoned after constant banditry attacks.
Nonetheless he lauded residents who had planted crops and settled down and promised to initiate irrigation programs to ensure food security.
He noted that resettlement efforts would be supported by the government and the over 10 schools that are still closed reopened.
“More teachers will be employed and especially those from insecurity-prone areas will be given special consideration and given more slots during the 20,000 recruitment exercise,” the CS said.
Kindiki further noted that new administrative units will be put up in areas that need enhanced security.
He said that the areas gazetted in March 2023 as bandit-prone and dangerous areas to visit including Arabal, Korkoron, Tandale, Ngelecha would still remain under close security surveillance.
The CS added that Ruko Conservancy will be gazetted as a security operation area and bandits disguised as pastoralists should desist from moving there.
Kutwa in his address said the security agencies were committed to ensuring that normalcy was restored noting that the support by the government was beneficial in restoring hope to the residents.
On his part, Kamuren warned politicians to desist from inciting residents against each other, but instead foster peaceful co-existence by giving hope to the residents.
He urged the CS to expedite resettlement of the displaced residents to every village and increase NPRs to 10 per village.
“More NPRs would ensure that security is restored and residents will be able to perform their economic activities without fear, hence boosting development,” Kamuren added.
The MP also called on the government to divert the equalization funds to open up security roads in Rukus, Mukutani, Arabal and use the balance used to build an NPR training camp, so that officers can learn skills in carpentry and masonry to ensure they can earn a decent living.
The area Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairperson Nasaru Kiriamo thanked the government for providing food to the affected residents, noting that they were ready to go back to their homes, but needed more NPRs so as to restore lasting peace.