Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki says he will make a major announcement in the coming hours to reorient the second phase of the ongoing security operation in the North Rift.
Kindiki expressed his dismay at the defiant criminals roving and maiming innocent criminals in the six counties, a trend he said warrants more drastic measures to end banditry and liberate the affected communities from decades of atrocities and deprivation.
“These bandits are nothing but terrorists. They are killing people, and I get messages every day. I will be announcing new measures, and this is just phase two,” he said.
“I beseech you to allow me to close my eyes and deliver northern Kenya from the hands and claws of terrorist groups,” he added.
He spoke in Naivasha Friday during the induction retreat of the members of the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations.
He added that the multi-agency team will stay in the area until the menace is eradicated.
Kindiki noted the restraint of the security personnel so far was largely anchored on the new Constitution and added that similar operations in the past were conducted under a different set of legislations.
He said the mission will be undertaken within the confines of the law, with caution and the protection of innocent civilians being the prime focus of the government.
“This particular operation is being done by one of the most under-progressive constitutions in the world, in terms of what our officers can do. Unlike in the past, including the last one in Mount Elgon where the military was involved, we are providing our security in accordance with the Constitution,” he said.
He also divulged that the criminal’s modus operandi is now known, but stated that many of them are forcefully mingling with villagers in an attempt to blend in and use innocent civilians as human shields.
He called for support from peace-loving Kenyans and hinted at an escalation of the operation upon the approval of Parliament.
“But I want to invite the country to reflect on the kind of pain and the kind of disadvantage these criminals have caused, and also reflect on what is done in the most advanced democracies when a crisis of this magnitude visits our nation.”
The CS highlighted the successes recorded by law enforcement agencies in managing crime in the country.
He attributed the progress to the changes made in the police command structure, and the cooperation from members of the public through information-sharing.
“Crime has been brought completely under control. We have small issues which we are addressing at the moment,” he noted,
“But I have already had discussions with the command of the National Police Service, and we are working to seal all the gaps. We will not like a resurgence of robberies and people being accosted at any time of the day.”
