•The areas have been zoned to enable the smooth and careful operation, officials said.
•The plan to deploy KDF to the region was tabled before Parliament Tuesday.
Image: NPS/TWITTER
The planned security operation against bandits in six counties in the North Rift started in earnest on Friday, February 17.
This follows the lapse of a three-day amnesty period where those in possession of illegal arms were supposed to have surrendered them to the government.
A convoy of military vehicles was spotted snaking into the troubled zones.
Officials said that the areas have been zoned to enable smooth and careful operation.
The government said the military is “just” supporting the police in the operation.
Witnesses said activities at Marigat town, the gateway to Tiaty constituency, was brought to a standstill as residents watched the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) roll in.
The movement of more boots on the ground signified the kick-off of a high-level multi-agency operation that will bring together men and women in uniform from the National Police Service (NPS) and KDF.
The operation is expected to lead officers in the hilly areas of the disturbed and dangerous zone, deemed to be bandit hideouts.
Covering the entire place will not be easy. This is because of among others the scarcity of resources and personnel at large.
The military team moved to the mapped areas for deployment.
The multi-agencies involved in the exercise have been mobilizing resources ahead of the start of the operation.
The resources included vehicles, choppers, personnel, tents and food.
Maj Gen David Tarus of KDF who is the commander of the western command is expected to coordinate the new operation with the Rift Valley Regional Commander Tom Odero.
A document dubbed Technical Report on National Shared Security Strategy for Enduring Peace and Security in the North Rift Region was handed to the President last month and detailed the problems and possible solutions.
The document will guide the next phase of “Operation Komesha Uhalifu North Rift”, launched in September last year following the killing of a local chief, two civilians and eight police officers by bandits in Turkana East, officials said.
The involvement of the military in the operation came amid mixed reactions from the public.
Some welcomed the move while others criticized it.
The plan to deploy KDF to the region was tabled before Parliament Tuesday.
With the drought situation worsening, the operation is expected to target caves that bandits run to for cover as well as beef up ground and air support.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki declared the security situation in the North Rift as a National Emergency and issued a three-day amnesty for the surrender of illegally held firearms.
Only five firearms were surrendered. Officials said there was no proper communication on the matter hence the small number of surrendered guns.
The amnesty that began Tuesday was received with mixed reactions with some quarters feeling it may not achieve much as it provides the persons behind the attacks time to regroup and strategize.
Additional zones have also been listed among the dangerous and disturbed areas.
The extension was made in Samburu and Laikipia Counties.Sipili Division in Laikipia County and Malaso, Baragoi, and Wamba Divisions in Samburu County are now listed among disturbed and dangerous areas and they will be affected by the curfew.
However, the ministry of interior excluded Kirisia Division in Samburu County.
Inspector General Japhet Koome called upon people owning firearms illegally in the areas to surrender. Ends