The government has unveiled a new anti-banditry Command Centre in Kirimon, Laikipia County, as it intensifies the war on banditry in the North Rift region.
The Kirimon base now becomes the second operational hub under Operation Maliza Uhalifu Two (OMU II) after the existing OMU I command in Chemolingot, Baringo County.
Its strategic location enables rapid response and sustained and coordinated operations across the identified bandit attacks and livestock theft hotspots.
At the launch of the reinforced security operation at the Kirimon National Youth Service (NYS) Training Centre, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen outlined a dual strategy that prioritises the suppression of banditry and the well-being of security personnel.
Murkomen said the welfare of the officers will be the core of the multi-agency operation.
OMU II brings together personnel from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), National Police Service (NPS), National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs), National Police Reservists (NPRs), and Rangers.
The joint effort, Murkomen said, is aimed at restoring peace and stability across Laikipia, Samburu, Isiolo, Meru, and parts of the North Rift, including the Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Turkana, and West Pokot counties.
"Peace and normalcy has been restored in many areas, and economic activities have resumed. We still have a problem in Mukokodo Forest, parts of Samburu East and Maralal," he said.
"We are enhancing our operations to restore peace. We are carrying out a one-off operation to flush out the criminals.”
The new command centre coordinates operations across Samburu, Laikipia, Isiolo, and parts of Meru counties in a bid to restore stability while adhering to principles of proportionality and respect for civilian populations.
"Children are going back to school, and locals are going about their business except the one disturbed area that our security agencies are pacifying,” the CS noted.
The delegation at the high-security meeting included Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat and General Service Unit (GSU) commandant Ranson Lolmodooni.
Others are Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) commandant Joseph Limo, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Hassan Abdi, and Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Jasper Ombati.
