The Kenya Kwanza government has put livestock rustlers and bandits in Eastern and North Rift Valley Counties on notice.
To deal with the criminals, the Ministry of Interior on Wednesday announced the deployment of formed units and armed security officers to the regions.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said that the special units will be provided with modern equipment to boost their capacity to thwart and deal with complex crimes.
"Livestock rustlers and bandits for years have terrorised innocent residents and impoverished them economically in Eastern and North Rift Valley Counties are on the radar of our specialised security agencies."
"However, we have plans to deal with them mercilessly," he noted.
The CS warned that criminals using firearms to attack security officers and civilians will be handled ruthlessly.
In addition to that, Kindiki while addressing a security baraza highlighted that security issues brought about by land ownership will be solved.
He revealed that through the Ministry of Lands, the Government will expedite the process of land adjudication and issuance of title deeds to help resolve security issues that emanate from ownership disputes.
Not mincing his words, the Interior chief warned leaders against inciting residents to act in violence.
"Political and community leaders inciting residents to engage in acts of violence and destruction of property in the guise of addressing historical land grievances, especially in border regions will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law," Kindiki noted.
He was speaking after setting up a General Service Unit (GSU) Camp in Mandongoi, Kitui County.
Eastern Regional, Kitui County and Kyuso Sub-County Security and Intelligence Committees, Kitui County Government officials and Members of the County Assembly were in attendance.
