- Kindiki directed security agencies to handle the frequent cases of inter-communal conflicts in the county.
- He also directed them to suppress the criminal gangs that have mushroomed in the Bangale-Madowo areas.
Image: MINA
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has said Tana River County is tops the list of hideout areas for terrorists.
He said terrorism remains a global and national threat to citizens.
The CS asked security agencies to review their approach and develop a more elaborate plan to address the threat.
Speaking on Wednesday in Garsen during a security evaluation tour of the county, Kindiki said the government has heightened security surveillance.
"Tana River is one of the frontier counties targeted by the enemy as a potential stomping ground and hideout. In response, Kenya has heightened its surveillance and security operations to flush out the terrorists," he said.
The CS spoke after chairing a State of the County Security Appraisal Forum with heads of various security agencies.
Kindiki directed security agencies to handle the frequent cases of inter-communal conflicts in the county.
He also directed them to suppress the criminal gangs that have mushroomed in the Bangale-Madowo areas.
On March 21, Kindiki unveiled new equipment to be used in the fight against organised terrorism and banditry.
It is part of government's ambitious Sh37 billion plan to modernise security equipment over the next five years.
Kindiki said the equipping and kitting of frontline officers deployed in Forward Operating Bases in the Northeastern region, the Boni enclave, the Upper Eastern region and North Rift remains a key priority for the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He said the government remains focused on completely suppressing and neutralising terrorism, banditry, livestock rustling and other organised criminal activities and put Kenya on a firm path to equitable development and shared prosperity.
Kindiki said the government has in the last six months invested Sh7.6 billion and will spend another Sh29.4 billion in the next three years under the Police Equipment Modernisation (PEM) programme to acquire sophisticated protective and mobility equipment.
They include Armoured Personnel Carriers and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, Armoured Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, drones, gunship helicopters, mine sweepers and Personal Protection Equipment.
“We must neutralise and dominate the enemy from all angles and ensure that our country is safe and our people can work, live and invest in peace and without any fear," Kindiki said.
The latest reported terrorist attack happened on Monday after at least four people were killed in a blast at food kiosk outside Mandera police station.
Police said the blast was caused by a Improvised Explosive Device that had been planted in the hotel and was set off as a crowd sat for food.
The security officers said the IED had been planted on Sunday night to target those frequenting the area.
Among those killed were two police officers and two civilians.
Security officials said the bomb was set up by militants.
On Sunday, at least two members of the National Police Reserve (NPR) were killed in an attack by suspected terrorists in Witu, Lamu County.