The government has intensified the fight against banditry and livestock theft in the country.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Friday emphasized that the days of armed criminals terrorising people with impunity are long gone.
"The Government of Kenya under the leadership of President William Ruto will fulfil all its pledges and we are determined to end permanently, the shame of cattle rustling and banditry," Kindiki said.
Highlighting some strides made, the interior chief said that significant ground has been covered in tracking and neutralising armed criminals who had turned parts of North Rift Valley, Upper Eastern and Coastal regions into their territory, killing men, women and children, and impoverished them economically.
Tough-talking Kindiki also said that security officers are directed to ruthlessly pursue criminals and use the firearms issued to them lawfully to protect the people of Kenya and their property.
"Any armed criminal daring security officers will be sent on a one-way journey. On security, I promised you that 2023 is the year of ending livestock theft and banditry," he added.
Kindiki was speaking in Isiolo where he opened an anti-stock theft unit at Mulango.
He was accompanied by Isiolo Governor Abdi Hassn Guyo, his Deputy Joseph Lowasa, Senator Fatuma Dulo, Woman Representative Mumina Bonaya, and Eastern Regional and Isiolo County Security and Intelligence Committees among others.
The CS pledged that the government would establish more security camps, deploy specialised security officers and commission administrative units to bring services closer to the people.
