Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has said that the government will do everything in its power to get rid of bandits in the Rift Valley.
Speaking after inspecting the progress of construction of the Tangul-Kolomogon- Keren Road, CS Kindiki said he will not relent in the crackdown on armed criminals in the six North Rift Valley Counties or allow bandits flushed out to regroup.
Known as the “Amani Road,” which links Elgeyo Marakwet County and West Pokot County, he said easy access to security roads will enable law enforcement agencies to respond promptly to distress calls and pursue armed criminals and bandits when they attack residents.
In March, the Government declared six North Rift Counties as disturbed and dangerous to pave way for a planned operation to flush out the bandits.
The six bandit-prone counties in the region include; Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwt, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu.
All the areas gazetted as disturbed and dangerous on 12th March 2023 remain so and out of bounds to the public.
“Anyone attempting to access the gazetted areas, in the guise of seeking pasture for livestock will not be allowed,” CS Kindiki said on Monday in Kiserian, Baringo South Constituency, Baringo County.
He further added that security agents in the Maliza Uhalifu Operation will continue to remain on the ground for a long term and will do all it takes to prevent criminals from regaining access to the hideouts in Korkoron Hills, Arabal Hills, Tandare Valley and other remote places that used to harbour bandits in the past.