Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has outlined the strategy the government can use to win the war against bandits.
In an interview on Thursday, April 4, Natembeya explained that Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome should lead the fight against the bandits not Interior CS Kithure Kindiki.
The former police regional commissioner explained that the CS is in charge of the policy and laying plans on how to deal with the bandits.
However, he said the IG should be the one who is be visible in the affected areas and at the forefront of the fight.
“The CS can go to Baringo a million times and talk to the offices but once the regional commissioners and Deputy IG say they knew nothing about his visit, the story ends there. The person who is operational and has the support of the Constitution and the ability to command the police is the IG,” he said.
According to Natembeya, Kindiki’s visits to different counties is just to seek attention thereby creating the impression that there is a problem in Kenya.
He stated that Kindiki should engage the IG in writing as per the Constitution and not by word of mouth or through the media.
“The person who is responsible for this is the IG. He has neglected his responsibility and is hiding behind the CS. Kindiki is feeling the heat but the person who holds power to finish this thing is the IG,” Netembeya explained.
How to End Banditry- Natembeya
The Governor said CS Kindiki should seek the approval of the National Assembly to deploy the army to the affected counties.
Afterwards, he stated that the army should be given three months to fight before the police move in to finalize.
“The police and military working together will not work, the police should leave, and the CS should go to the National Assembly and get the permission to deploy the army,” he said.
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“They should be given 90 days to clear the bandits. The army can finish these bandits within three weeks then the police can go in to clean up the area.”
Meanwhile, he advised that politicians should not comment on the operations once the army is deployed to prevent interference.
He also explained that the government must also invest in the exercise by allocating funds and building roads and schools to open up the region.
Police Deployed to Bandit Prone Areas
He explained that the police camps in the region are overwhelmed by the bandits who have outnumbered the officers.
Additionally, Natembeya explained that the relationship between the locals and the police is unfriendly, and they celebrate whenever bandits kill an officer.
“When a bandit kills senior police (SP) he is promoted to the position of a SP in their rankings, and he doesn’t go for raids. When they kill you, they take all the clothes after killing an officer,” he said.
He revealed that the bandits even interact with local politicians wearing police uniforms and the leaders take no action.
“Kenya’s intelligence is one of the best in the world and they know what is happening. Why are they not exposing them?” he asked.
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Warning to Kindiki
He also predicted that the gangs in bandit prone areas will shoot Interior CS Kithure Kindiki the next time he visits the regions.
Natembeya said the bandits shot at former police IG Joseph Boinnet and will not hesitate to repeat it in retaliation.
“Next time I am suspecting that his chopper will be shot at, they shot at Boinnet when he was IG,” he said.
Natembeya also recalled an incident where the bandits attacked former Deputy IG Grace Kaindi and blocked her chopper from landing in Laikipia County.
