• Ruto directed the Rift Valley region commissioner Mohammed Maalim to deploy police reservists to provide security.
• Interior CS Kithure Kindiki held talks with senior security chiefs to implement the President's directive.
Image: MINISTRY OF INTERIOR / TWITTER
Police have recovered more than 700 livestock in the ongoing operation targeting cattle rustlers and bandits in the North Rift.
A statement on Tuesday released by the Ministry of Interior said that one suspected bandit was shot dead during the operation.
"Nearly 500 goats, 70 cattle and 200 camels that had been stolen in Turkana, Baringo and Isiolo have since been returned to their owners under the Operation Komesha Uhalifu that was recently launched by the government," he said.
On Monday, police recovered 70 cattle and 150 goats after a confrontation with the armed bandit attackers that left one suspected bandit dead.
“The largest recovery has been in Isiolo where 200 camels and 300 goats that had been stolen were recovered and handed back to their owners,” the statement read.
President William Ruto directed for a crackdown against cattle rustling and lawlessness in the North Rift region and other arid parts of the country.
The President said the government will deal with the armed criminals hiding under cultural practices to steal livestock while killing innocent Kenyans.
Ruto directed the Rift Valley region commissioner Mohammed Maalim and county commissioners from affected counties to deploy police reservists to provide security.
"The reservists who are traditionally drawn from the local communities are regarded as an effective bulwark against bandits and cattle rustlers due to their knowledge of the tough terrain and hiding spots relied on by criminals," he said.
Ruto put on notice the masterminds and patrons of the cattle theft syndicate saying the government was determined to bring to them to book.
Kindiki held talks with senior security chiefs to implement the President's directive.
"The latest records from NPS reveal that late October, a multi-agency team acting on a tip off recovered 24 stolen goats and an AK-47 gun from a suspected homestead in Turkana," the statement reads.
"Another 34 goats that had been stolen in Lokwall village in the same county by bandits suspected to have crossed over from West Pokot were also recovered."
Police have appealed to the public to share information that will lead to the arrest of the bandits.