President William Ruto says he has ordered Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to shift from his office in Nairobi to live in the North Rift region where he is expected to restore security by fighting banditry.
The president while addressing congregants during a church service on Sunday, February 12 in Nakuru County said his government has broadly strategized on fighting banditry in the coming days.
“CS Kindiki is not here today because he is in Baringo. He was in Turkana yesterday. I have told him to leave his office in Nairobi to go and live in the North Rift until the banditry comes to an end,” said Ruto.
President Ruto stated that he will ensure no more life is lost through bandit attacks.
“We have put in place all measures we can in our capacity as the government. We will deal with those few proud individuals and make sure no Kenyan loses their life to them,” he added.
Moreover, cattle rustlers and bandits have caused mayhem in the North Rift region, leading to the loss of lives, displacement of residents, and loss of thousands of livestock.
The North Rift counties that are most affected by banditry include Baringo, Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet.
Furthermore, on Friday, February 10, six people among them four police officers, died in a bandit attack on the Kitale – Lodwar highway at Kaakong area of Turkana County.
Likewise, three people were killed and one critically injured in another attack at Kakong area in Turkana South, after bandits who pretended to be onlookers along the road ambushed a Lodwar-bound Public Service Vehicle, spraying it with bullets.
Also Read: Turkana East Bandit Attack Leaves Four Dead and Two Injured
Nonetheless, Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya who also spoke during the church service stated that the welfare of police officers deployed in the troubled region is devastating.
Natembeya, further noted that a lot is hidden regarding the conditions officers are subjected to and the matter has been totally ignored.
“I was the Regional Commander in Rift Valley and I really fought with insecurity. There are things you’ll never be told Mr. President. During my 3-year tenure as the RC I did not receive even a single cent to fight insecurity,” he said.
“These officers who we see are being shot dead, and none of them is being given allowance the salary they get is the same a traffic police officer receives. There is no incentive whatsoever,” he added.
