• Despite facing setbacks in his line of duty, the Interior boss states that criminal plots did succeed in some instances, to the ministry’s detriment.
•Kindiki affirmed that 2024 will be a pivotal year, marked by an escalation of efforts in the ongoing war against banditry.
Image: MINA
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said his priority in 2024 will remain the safety and security of Kenyans.
Reflecting on 2023 in Kinna, Isiolo County, the CS states that 2023 was a difficult year globally and locally.
“ Terrorism, banditry, narcotics, corruption, violence, cyber-attacks and climate change lingered as the most consequential threats to our Homeland Security. In our assessment, they will remain so into 2024,” Kindiki noted.
Despite facing setbacks in his line of duty, the Interior boss highlighted that criminal plots did succeed in some instances, to the ministry’s detriment.
Kindiki stated that some successes of the Interior Ministry have made it to the news and are in the public domain.
However, he noted that Homeland Security went beyond scattered instances where criminals managed to hurt Kenyans.
"It is more about the numerous, unreported cases of the interception of terrorist cells and their neutralisation, suppression of bandits, disruption of crime, and prevention of attacks on our critical infrastructure,” Kindiki added.
Addressing security officers whom he called gallant and patriotic officers who made Kenya’s Homeland Security their most important business, the Interior boss said, uniformed or not, Kenya is grateful to them.
"To our officers, Kenya prays for you and your families for blessings, grace, and good health into 2024," Kindiki said.
Looking at some achievements, the Interior CS said that, under his leadership, incidents of banditry have notably decreased this year.
"The incidents of banditry and its debilitating effects on the people of the Northern Rift Valley Region have been contained by 70 per cent," he said.
The Interior boss stated it won't be business as usual in 2024.
He commended the security officers for remaining firm and fighting bandits.
"I want to thank all our officers for living up to their oath of office and diligently facing the criminal elements and bandits,who for years have terrorised innocent residents of Northern Rift Valley and made their lives difficult," Kindiki said.
"There is no greater sacrifice than what you are doing to keep our country safe."
Leveraging insights gained thus far, the Interior boss underscored the government's commitment to eliminating the scourge of banditry and dismantling its political, cultural, and commercial networks.
Kindiki affirmed that 2024 will be a pivotal year, marked by an escalation of efforts in the ongoing war against banditry.
"2024 will be the year of sustaining and upscaling the war on banditry. We will build on the successes and gains of 2023," he said.
"We have covered at least 70 percent of this war and the remaining 30 per cent in a few parts of Samburu East, Samburu West, Isiolo, and Turkana."
Kindiki noted that the government is closing in on the criminals hiding there and orchestrating attacks in isolated areas.
He added that the suppression of bandit terror will pave the way for the opening up of the Northern Rift Valley region through social amenities, economic infrastructure, and durable peace-building programs spearheaded by the government but involving non-governmental stakeholders.