- The CS said the forest belonged to the government, saying there was not going to be compromised or surrender to the criminals.
- He said the operation was going to will end when all the bandits and armed criminals were completely dealt with.
Image: MOSES ODHIAMBO
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has announced a 30-day extension of the orders declaring six counties in the North Rift as dangerous.
He said there were criminals still holed up at Mukogodo Forest, assuring that they were working to flush them out at all costs.
The CS said the forest belonged to the government, saying there was not going to be compromised or surrender to the criminals.
"The orders I issued on March 12, 2023, declaring parts of the six counties of North Rift Valley disturbed and dangerous are hereby extended by another 30 days," he said.
They include West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Laikipia, Baringo, Samburu, and Turkana.
He said the operation was going to will end when all the bandits and armed criminals were completely dealt with.
"The choice is simple; armed criminals or Kenya, and there is no way we can be defeated by bandits. We have enough security officers, skills, expertise, and equipment to deal with the criminals," Kindiki said.
He said they had recorded progress in the fight, commending the officers from National Police Service and the Kenya Defence Forces spearheading the operation.
He spoke on Wednesday during the monitoring of a joint security operation in Laikipia.
The CS said they are working seamlessly to ensure that the operation succeeds, giving its progress.
"I have been to the operation zone and assessed the progress of Operation Maliza Uhalifu," he said.
Kindiki said the Naibor ASTU Camp in Laikipia North Constituency had pursued and successfully recovered 75 heads of cattle stolen from Enasoit Ranch.
Commending the response, he termed it as "good progress from the multi-agency security team".
"The recovery of 75 heads of cattle this week is the kind of success stories we want to hear," he said.
Kindiki said the fight against banditry must be won, adding that it should not be an issue of discussion at such a time as the 21 century.
He also lauded the National Police Reservists for the role played in combating the vice.
"The government will provide them with NHIF cover, uniforms and equipment to facilitate them in service delivery," Kindiki said.