Drones to flush out bandits ready, says commissioner

Most banditry attacks are not for restocking livestock but to terrify victims, Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omonding has said.

He said banditry attacks and killing of innocent people are meant to create fear and tensions in the occupants of such regions to vacate for the criminals to take over, which he assured will not continue under his watch.

He added that the administration is mapping out hot spot areas where drones will be used to monitor the activities of the criminals and flash them out.

“We have drones to monitor and the government will use any necessary force to deal with such criminals if need be. We will also open up link roads for patrols and mobility,” Omonding said.

Speaking in Meru, Governor Kawira Mwangaza, MPs John Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South), Dan Kiili (Igembe Central), John Mutunga (Tigania West) Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East)and Julius Taitumu (Igembe North), urged President William Ruto to deploy National police Reservists to curb banditry within the porous border between Meru and Isiolo.

“I am sad that less than a month after we deployed rangers at Dumuru camp, one of them has been brutally killed by bandits. We are tired of burying our loved ones. We request President Ruto to deploy NPR officers,” Mwangaza said.

Taitumu lamented that Interior CS Kithure Kindiki made empty promises on the deployment of at least 200 NPR officers to the region but not a single officer has arrived in Meru.

“We are surrounded by heavily armed bandits. They have killed two people in my constituency recently. Give us more NPR,” Taitumu said.

Responding to their plea after launching construction of the Kaelo-Mutuati road on Saturday, President Ruto said the Interior ministry is doing everything possible to fight against bandits.

“I am aware of insecurity-prone areas and I have told CS Kindiki to ruthlessly deal with criminals. He had challenges in terms of the terms and services for our police officer so that they can effectively fight against criminals. We will use Sh20 billion to improve police welfare,” Ruto said.

Last month, Nine militia members were arrested and six AK47 rifles, 1 FN firearm, 16 magazines, a pair of Jungle Police uniforms, and several rounds of ammunition were recovered in the ongoing operation in the Kom area, Merti subcounty,  Isiolo county.

The security team comprising of General Service Unit GSU and the Quick Response Unit, were conducting a joint operation when they came into contact with suspected militia men. This led to a vicious gunfight but the militia group was finally overpowered by the commandos leading to the arrest of the nine suspects.

-Edited by SKanyara