The Saturday killing of a police officer and a teacher by bandits has sparked calls for upscaling of the security operation in Kerio Valley.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki was expected in the region as leaders urged President William Ruto to scale up the operation to wipe out gunmen still operating in the valley.
Leaders, including Cooperatives CS Simon Chelugui, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich and Ruto's aide Farouk Kibet, said time has come for shoot to kill order against bandits.
"Enough is enough! A few individuals should not be allowed to loiter around and kill innocent people," Kibet said.
He said CS Kindiki has done a good job in dealing with bandits, but the remaining gunmen should be eliminated.
"President Ruto and CS Kindiki have done a lot to contain banditry in Kerio Valley, but those killers still operating should be forced to disappear. We believe in God and we will not allow satan to ruin lives in the region," Kibet said.
He spoke during a fundraising at Metkei Girls High School in Keiyo South on Saturday.
Governor Rotich said since the start of the security operation that has been going in Kerio Valley, more than 70 per cent of the bandits had been dealt with, but there were still a few gunmen killing residents along the roads.
“Most of the bandits have been subdued but we have a few remnants who kill people on our roads during daytime. Now they have killed a security officer and a teacher, we will not tolerate them anymore,” he said.
Rotich said security teams should be ordered to shoot dead bandits who thrive on ending innocent lives.
“They have killed many of our people and they should not be allowed to live amidst us. Let them be sent away, so that our people can enjoy peace,” he said.
Rotich commended the government's action to move all security camps to areas along the Kerio river, where bandits have been operating.
The river serves as the border of West Pokot, Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet.
Chelugui said measures put in place by Ruto to deal with banditry were working.
A police officer was ambushed and shot dead by a group of armed men who raided the Chepkum chief's camp in Elgeyo Marakwet county on Saturday morning.
According to police reports, the shooting happened when the officer went to answer a call of nature. He was shot in the chest.
The killing has been linked to a possible revenge following the killing of a notorious bandit in the area last week.
A teacher was also shot dead on the same day in Baringo county as he walked home.
