• He encouraged the troops to remain focused, always alert and vigilant in the conduct of the operation.
• The General assured the troops of full support from the Defence Headquarters to deter and defeat threats to security in the North Rift.
Image: HANDOUT
The Vice Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Francis Ogolla on Friday visited troops operating under ‘Operation Maliza Uhalifu’ in the Northern Rift in a bid to boost their morale.
He engaged with officers stationed at the Chemolingot Command Center in Baringo County, Chesitet and Pura Multi agency camp in Samburu County.
Gen Ogolla lauded the troops for their diligence in combating banditry and ensuring sustainable peace and security in the six counties declared as disturbed.
He encouraged the troops to remain focused, always alert and vigilant in the conduct of the operation.
Ogolla further emphasised the need to engage local residents and National Government Administration officers (NGAO) while conducting the operation as they have infinite information about the region.
"We need the goodwill of the people. It is very substantial to engage the locals and NGAO as they remain very informative to our security agencies. We remain objective and we are not backing down until our mission is achieved," he stated.
The General assured the troops of full support from the Defence Headquarters to deter and defeat threats to security in the North Rift.
Present during the visit were the Rift Valley Region Police Commander Tom Odero and OMU Commander Brigadier Ahmed Saman among other senior officers.
Two weeks ago, Army commander Lt Gen Peter Njiru visited the troops. Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale also visited the team as part of the morale boosting.
The joint Security Operation is led by the National Police Service (NPS) with the assistance of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
Deputy Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow is the Commander in charge of the operation.
Despite a heavy police presence in the marked areas, armed bandits have continued to attack, kill and rob residents before retreating to caves and forests from where they monitor the public and security personnel as they plan further attacks.
On Friday, bandits struck in Samburu and Baringo counties and killed three people.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced in the last seven months over 150 Kenyans, including 20 officers, have been killed by bandits.
Kindiki directed villagers to leave targeted areas of operation and banned low altitude flights from overflying parts of North Rift from March 13.
He said only aircrafts taking part in the ongoing security operation would be allowed to flying over the specified areasm until further notice.
The second phase of the operation is ongoing in Baringo, Laikipia, Samburu, Turkana, West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties.