- The inquiry was carried out over a period of nine months, from August 2023 to April 2024.
- The report by National Assembly’s Committee on Administration and National Security said government success faces multiple obstacles.
Image: FILE
Security operation to restore law and order in six banditry-prone counties has not achieved significant success, a report tabled in the National Assembly shows.
The findings of an inquiry into the security situation in Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu and Laikipia showed that certain areas within the counties have continued to experience recurrent and sporadic attacks leading to destruction of property and loss of lives.
The report by the National Assembly’s Committee on Administration and National Security said government success faces multiple obstacles.
The Gabriel Tongoyo-led committee named the obstacles as limited resources, proliferation of arms, commercialisation of banditry and vast and rugged terrain.
“Additionally, underlying social-economic factors including poverty, unemployment and limited access to essential services further contribute to the state of lawlessness in the region,” the report read in part.
The inquiry was carried out for nine months, from August 2023 to April 2024.
The committee sought to assess the state of security in the affected counties, determine the causes and develop an understanding of what fuels the crisis.
It also sought to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions put in place by the government since January 2023 to restore peace and normalcy in the affected regions.
The committee conducted a fact-finding visit to the six counties where they engaged with respective county security committees, security forces, elected leaders and affected communities.
In February 2023, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration declared the security situation in the six counties as a national emergency.
The Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki, through a Kenya Gazette Notice dated February 23 declared specified areas in the counties as “disturbed” and “dangerous.”
To further enhance the security situation, the government launched Operation Maliza Uhalifu in the North Rift, designed to restore law and order and safeguard communities from organised banditry.
In its recommendations, the committee said there was a need to adopt comprehensive, multi-pronged approaches and solutions that address the root causes of the conflict which include strengthening the capacity of security forces.
The committee further called for enhanced community-level interventions and the fostering of sustainable peace initiatives and development.
The committee advised the government to initiate a disarmament exercise aimed at confiscating firearms held by unlicensed civilians in the six counties.
It added that the Ministry of Interior should initiate a systematic intelligence-led operation in the North Rift to dismantle criminal networks in the region.
“The National Police Service should adopt and deploy modern security surveillance systems by integrating technologies such as drones, Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers and air surveillance,” the report read.