State to change tack in war against banditry – Kindiki

The government is set to unveil a different tactic as it escalates the war against banditry and human trafficking.

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki on Thursday said a comprehensive multi-agency eradication strategy will soon be launched to tackle livestock rustlers, highway robbers and human traffickers in the Rift Valley and Eastern regions.

"The criminals have taken advantage of rough terrain, poor infrastructure and social vulnerabilities to stage attacks against residents of some parts of Northern Rift Valley and Upper Eastern Regions, a culture that the Government is determined to suppress this year," he said. 

The Internal security boss was speaking on Thursday in Isiolo where he held a strategy meeting with senior security officers at Shaba. 

The meeting was aimed at laying the foundation for addressing security concerns in Marsabit, Isiolo, Meru North, Baringo and Turkana counties.

Kindiki said the criminals have been exploiting the rough terrain, poor infrastructure and social vulnerabilities to stage attacks in certain areas of the Northern Rift Valley and Upper Eastern regions.

The government, he said, is determined to curb the criminal activities and will soon release a list of troubled zones in Isiolo, Samburu and Meru.

The CS clarified that specific regions, rather than entire counties, would be designated as disturbed and dangerous, ensuring the operations' effectiveness without victimising innocent residents.

While expressing confidence during a January tour of Mulango in Isiolo, Kindiki announced the imminent arrival of modern security equipment to combat bandits comprehensively.

This equipment, expected to arrive soon, will be used to pursue criminals on land, sea and air.

The CS emphasised government's commitment to completely dismantle the infrastructure supporting banditry and livestock theft.

To seal off the escape routes used by bandits, CS Kindiki disclosed the deployment of National Police Reservists (NPRs), who were set to begin training on January 31, shortly after graduation.

Kindiki said his priority in 2024 will remain the safety and security of Kenyans.

On his reflection of the 2023 events as far as insecurity is concerned, the CS noted that the was generally difficult even globally.

“Terrorism, banditry, narcotics, corruption, violence, cyber-attacks and climate change lingered as the most consequential threats to our Homeland Security. In our assessment, they will remain so into 2024,” Kindiki said.