Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has now ordered a crackdown on all leaders who are suspected of being enablers of banditry and other criminal activities.
Speaking during a closed-door meeting with security bosses from the Rift Valley region and Samburu County, the CS said the crackdown should also extend to planners and commanders of the bandit attacks.
"Security agencies are instructed to crack down on all political, commercial and spiritual enablers of banditry as well as key planners and commanders of bandit attacks," Kindiki said on Wednesday.
The CS who met the Regional and County security bosses at the Chief's Office, Kisima Location, in Suguta Marmar, Samburu West Constituency reviewed the progress of the operational plans.
The officers included Intelligence Committees and local operation commanders.
He noted that security agencies have made significant strides towards ending banditry in the North of the Rift Valley Region.
The Interior CS noted that eight months after the deployment of Operation Maliza Uhalifu forces, huge success has been registered in efforts to bring banditry to a stop.
Kindiki specifically pointed out an area like Samburu County where banditry has been contained, as well as Baragoi, a notorious hotbed of crime.
He reassured of the government's commitment to sustaining the Maliza Uhalifu Operation for the total eradication of banditry and livestock rustling in Northern Kenya.
"The Government is continuously engaged in monitoring the successes and challenges of the operation, to address any gaps for a sustained program for eradicating the terror of armed livestock robbers who have caused loss of lives and property of innocent Kenyans for decades," Kindiki said.
On Tuesday, Kindiki said no one will be spared in the fight against criminal entities.
Speaking in Loruk, Baringo County, the CS said even leaders will not be spared, regardless of which side of the political divide they come from.
He said insisted that community and religious leaders who are suspected of financing and inciting criminal activities, will also be brought to book.
“Anyone, whether a political leader, community leader, or religious leader suspected to be inciting, financing or masterminding criminal activities in the region to be summoned for questioning, record statements and those found culpable to be arrested and prosecuted Regardless of one's political affiliation or persuasion,” Kindiki said.