Isiolo will not house bandits, their activities – Governor Guyo

Isiolo County has declared war on bandits as the government intensifies its Operation Maliza Uhalifu in the Lower Easter region.

Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo called on residents to unmask bandits in the county who have been 'robbing' their peace.

"Isiolo will not house bandits and their activities. This year we will join hands with the Interior Ministry to eradicate banditry," he said on Thursday.

The county chief emphasised the importance for individuals suspected of involvement in banditry to abandon such obsolete practices.

As a result, Guyo advocated for collective engagement in developmental initiatives for the mutual progress of Isiolo County.

He was speaking at the Mulango Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) Camp where he joined Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to oversee the handover of recovered camels in Isiolo

Around 200 stolen camels in Burat ward, Mulango area were recovered after being stolen last week.

This was a result of the combined efforts of Isiolo county and the Interior Ministry.

Interior CS Kindiki said that bandits will have nowhere to run as the government upscales efforts to tame livestock theft.

Kindiki said that what they have so far done is just the beginning.

He noted that the bandits will be sought after and eliminated by all means. 

"This year, there is no escape route for criminals. The fire we have lit on them is just a warm-up. We must completely dismantle the entire infrastructure of banditry and livestock theft," he said.

"We must end this menace of livestock rustling, terrorism and organised crime so that our people in the North Rift Valley Region and North Eastern Region can embark on development and economic activities." 

At the same time, Guyo appealed to the Interior CS for the provision of a security vehicle to bolster operations in the Burat area, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of the Mulango ASTU Camp's initiatives.

He also urged the prompt deployment of 350 National Police Reservists in Isiolo.

Guyo assured the county's full support in their training to strengthen security measures against prevalent livestock robbery, a longstanding threat to local communities.

While responding, CS Kindiki said that the training of NPRs in Isiolo will start on January 31.

The CS said the NPRs will graduate within a month and be deployed to help seal loopholes that bandits have been using to escape.

Kindiki said he would personally be in the county to witness their graduation.

"Training of National Police Reservists in Isiolo will start on January 31 and within a month, they will graduate. I will be here to personally witness their graduation," he said.

"We will use these young men to help seal off all the loopholes that bandits have been using for years as escape routes after terrorising innocent people and getting away with their animals, therefore impoverishing them economically." 

Other leaders who attended the ceremony included Deputy Governor  James Lowasa, Isiolo county secretary Dade Boru, Isiolo Woman Representative Mumina Gollo, Isiolo county assembly speaker Mohammed Roba Qoto, Isiolo North MP Representative Josephine Eragai, chief officers and Isiolo MCAs.