The government will deploy specialised officers to supplement ongoing operations to flush out bandits in the North Rift, as well as deal with the criminal act's hardcore commanders, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has stated.
Speaking to officers on Monday at the Sarar GSU Camp in Elgeyo Marakwet County, CS Kindiki declared that bandits would face the same treatment as terrorists
The government will deploy specialised officers to supplement ongoing operations to flush out bandits in the North Rift, as well as deal with the criminal act's hardcore commanders, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has stated.
Speaking to officers on Monday at the Sarar GSU Camp in Elgeyo Marakwet County, CS Kindiki declared that bandits would face the same treatment as terrorists.
'We are bringing in special forces to help us deal with the hardcore commanders of banditry. To ruthlessly pursue the livestock rustlers, we are deploying the same measures we've deployed to tackle terrorism," CS Kindiki said.
"There is no difference between bandits and terrorists. Their ideology is the same and they must be shown no mercy...."
The Interior Ministry boss said, ongoing operation, dubbed Maliza Uhalifu, will persist for the long haul until the menace of banditry has been decimated completely.
"The Operation Maliza Uhalifu will continue uninterrupted and for the long haul, until the problem of banditry and livestock rustling is completely eradicated and the areas affected by the menace are totally pacified," CS Kindiki added.
"President William Ruto has given us very clear and firm instructions to deal with the shame of banditry and livestock rustling. I reiterate that this Administration will end the nonsense of livestock theft and open up the North Rift Valley Region for development and economic growth.."
According to CS Kindiki, the number of bandit commanders who have either been neutralised or arrested is testimony to the success of the operation.
"The many planned banditry attacks that have been thwarted, the huge recovery of stolen livestock and the return of economic activities, such as farming to areas that were for a long time hotspots for armed criminals is clear evidence of the success of ongoing security operations and the effects of strategic measures established by our multi-agency security officers..."he added.
At the same time, CS Kindiki revealed the government's plan to set up peace schools in the troubled North Rift.
He said the schools will cater to children from different communities who will be taught in an environment free from the bad influence of negative things like banditry and livestock rustling.
"That way, we will be creating a new generation that is not poisoned by negative things like banditry and livestock rustling," he added.
"As a Government, we believe that there is no child who is a bandit. No child is born a criminal. They are taught these evil habits as they grow up. "
During the Monday visit, CS Kindiki said the relocation of security operation camps along the Kerio Valley ordered by the Government last year has significantly enhanced peace and security in Marakwet East Constituency.
"The sustainability of the prevailing situation requires scaling up of the current operation to apprehend and bring to account bandit commanders and those who administer oaths and rituals to the livestock raiders as well as taming political incitement." he added.