Matiang’i spends night in Laikipia to ensure schools reopen

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i spent Friday night in Laikipia to oversee ongoing operation in the area against armed men.

He said he wanted to ensure schools that had been closed over insecurity are reopened on Monday ,September 13.

“Police will triple and sustain the number of officers deployed in Laikipia County for as long as it takes to end the bandit menace," he said.

"We are completely prepared to deal with this issue once and for all."

Matiang’i is expected in Ol Moran area to commission the construction of new sub county headquarters and give more directives.

On Friday night, he spent time in the area with security chiefs to witness the operation.

“We slept well here and we know it will be fine," Matiang'i said.

The security chiefs landed in the area early in the week as operations intensified to flush out gunmen on private ranches.

The armed men are accused of being the masterminds of at least 10 deaths among them three cops.

The attackers have been torching houses and other amenities including schools.

The team announced the government will offer food, water, blankets, matresses immediately and to assist affected families resettle.

They will also get iron sheets among other building materials to reconstruct their structures.

The CS said more political leaders are on the radar for instigating the attacks ahead of general elections.

The CS said the operation will involve a multi-agency team, all responses will be coordinated and address the real drivers of conflict, beyond the fight for pasture and water.