Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has stated that the operation against cattle rustlers and bandits in the North Rift which is set to begin today will be led by the National Police Service (NPS) and not the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF).
According to a statement released by his office, Kindiki said that no approval will be required from the National Assembly before KDF is deployed within Kenya’s border as required by law.
The Interior CS said that the specific public orders which guide the deployment of the military and the police in a joint operation had been amended to support the fight against bandits as ordered by President William Ruto.
“It is clarified that the operation in the areas specified in the aforesaid Kenya Gazette Notices as amended is POLICE-LED with assistance from the Military within the remit of Article 241 (3)(b) of the Constitution of Kenya.
As such, NO prior approval of the National Assembly is required as would be the case for a MILITARY-LED operation under Article 241 (3)(c) of the Constitution of Kenya,” the statement from Kindiki’s office read in part.
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Kindiki further stated that there were changes in the operation in Samburu and Laikipia County’s.
In Samburu County, Kirisia Division has been excluded from areas where the operation falls under while Malaso, Baragoi and Wamba Divisions have been included. In Laikipia County, Sipili Division has been included in the operation.
CS Kindiki’s announcement comes after President Ruto on Monday, February 13 ordered the joint security mission between the KDF and NPS to end the banditry in the North Rift.
The president said he had instructed Defense CS Aden Duale and his Interior counterpart Kithure Kindiki to draw a joint security strategy.
According to the Head of State, the operation is aimed at putting an end to banditry that has shaken the North Rift Region including the Kerio Valley Belt.
“We have said from tomorrow (February 14), everybody who is in possession of an unlicensed firearm, which is not government issued, they must surrender in three days. “We will not leave that area until every illegal gun has been returned, until all children have gone to school, and until we have stopped this menace,” the President added.,” he said.