President William Ruto has ordered a joint security mission between the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Police Service (NPS) to fight banditry in the North Rift region.
President Ruto while speaking in Nakuru County on Monday, February 13 announced that there will be a major operation to mop up illegal arms in the troubled region starting Tuesday, February 14.
Moreover, the president said he had instructed Defense CS Aden Duale and his Interior counterpart Kithure Kindiki to draw a joint strategy.
According to the head of state, the operation will be aimed at putting an end to banditry that has shook the North Rift Region including the Kerio Valley Belt.
Moreover, Ruto announced a three-day amnesty period for the bandits and anyone with illegal arms to surrender their weapons or face the full force of the law.
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“We have said from tomorrow, everybody who is in possession of an unlicensed firearm, that is not government issued, they must surrender in three days,” he said.
He further added that the security agencies will pitch camp in the region until order is restored.
“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.
Nonetheless, the move to have a joint security operation is the first time the head of state is activating KDF in the fight against banditry.
While speaking on Sunday during a church service, President William Ruto stated that his administration will do everything in its power to stamp out banditry in the country.
