The Government has declared a one month-long curfew in parts of the North Rift region due to the rising cases of insecurity in the area.
The dusk-to-dawn curfew which takes effect on Tuesday, February 14, is meant to allow for major security operations to pacify the region.
Counties in the North Rift including West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Laikipia, Baringo, Samburu, and Turkana have witnessed an increase in banditry and cattle rustling in recent months.
“Under this Order, there shall be no public gatherings, processions or movement, either alone or as a group during the period of the curfew except as has been permitted in writing by the Inspector General of the National Police Service,” read part of a gazette notice signed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.
Moreover, in Turkana, the order shall apply in Turkana South, Turkana East, and Loima Sub-counties.
In West Pokot the order shall apply in Pokot North and Sigor sub-Counties (along the river Turkwel Escarpment) while in Elgeyo Marakwet it will apply to Marakwet East and Marakwet West Sub-counties.
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Likewise, the sub-counties affected in Baringo County include Mukutani, Muchongoi, Bartabwa, Tiaty East and Tiaty West whereas in Laikipia the same shall apply in Olmoran, Ng’arua, and Mukogodo Divisions.
Similarly, Samburu’s Loroki and Kirisia Divisions will also be under the 30 -day curfew.
The dusk to dawn curfew comes after President William Ruto announced the start of a major operation to mop up illegal arms in the North Rift region.
The president stated that the security operation will be conducted by a multi-agency security team including officers drawn from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).