- He has visited Meru, Laikipia, Baringo, Samburu, Isiolo, Elgeyo Marakwet and Marsabit as part of the campaigns against the menace.
- The visits came even as the bandits continue to attack killing many.
The government has resorted to deploying specialised officers to supplement ongoing operations to address banditry in parts of North Rift.
This is part of fresh efforts to address the gangs behind the trend.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has in the past weeks visited the places affected by the menace to reassure agencies deployed that they are committed to fighting banditry.
Kindiki has visited Meru, Laikipia, Baringo, Samburu, Isiolo, Elgeyo Marakwet and Marsabit as part of the campaigns against the menace.
The visits came even as the bandits continued to attack killing many.
Residents have also staged protests over the attacks calling for more efforts to address the issue.
For instance, on Sunday, the gangs in Samburu killed two including a retired police officer in an attack.
Speaking to officers on Monday at the Sarar General Service Unit (GSU) Camp in Elgeyo Marakwet county, Kindiki declared that bandits would face the same treatment as terrorists.
“We are bringing in special forces to help us deal with the hardcore commanders of banditry. To ruthlessly pursue the livestock rustlers, we are deploying the same measures we've deployed to tackle terrorism," Kindiki said.
"There is no difference between bandits and terrorists. Their ideology is the same and they must be shown no mercy."
Among those being tapped for the war include the Special Operations Group, Border Patrol Unit and GSU.
The last time the teams were used in parts of Laikipia they managed to push the gangs out of the area.
He said, the ongoing operation, dubbed Maliza Uhalifu, will persist until the banditry menace has been decimated completely.
"Operation Maliza Uhalifu will continue uninterrupted and for the long haul until the problem of banditry and livestock rustling is completely eradicated and the areas affected by the menace are totally pacified," Kindiki added.
"I reiterate that this administration will end livestock theft and open up the North Rift Valley Region for development and economic growth."
He added the number of bandit commanders who have either been neutralised or arrested is testimony to the success of the operation.
"The many planned banditry attacks that have been thwarted, the huge recovery of stolen livestock and the return of economic activities, such as farming to areas that were for a long time hotspots for armed criminals is clear evidence of the success of ongoing security operations and the effects of strategic measures established by our multi-agency security officers," Kindiki said.
He also revealed the government's plan to set up peace schools in the troubled North Rift.
The Interior boss also said the schools will cater to children from different communities who will be taught in an environment free from the bad influence of negative things like banditry and livestock rustling.
"That way, we will be creating a new generation that is not poisoned by negative things like banditry and livestock rustling," he added.
"As a government, we believe that there is no child who is a bandit. No child is born a criminal. They are taught these evil habits as they grow up."
Kindiki said the relocation of security operation camps along the Kerio Valley ordered by the government last year has significantly enhanced peace and security in Marakwet East Constituency.
"The sustainability of the prevailing situation requires scaling up of the current operation to apprehend and bring to account bandit commanders and those who administer oaths and rituals to the livestock raiders as well as taming political incitement," he added.
He said multi-agency security patrols, reorganised command and additional deployments have been put in place to ensure the sustainability of the ongoing effort.
Beyond the kinetic operations for pacification of the area, the communities within the affected parts are required to share intelligence and expose local collaborators who enable livestock raiders to succeed, he said.
Kindiki said cattle rustling in Northern Kenya has over the years become an organised criminal enterprise responsible for deaths, poverty and displacement.
“Its impacts are severe. It deprives pastoral communities of their economic mainstay and aggravates the conditions of poverty in the rangelands, fuelling communal grievances and revenge attacks,” he said.