- Koome visited parts of Baringo which has been badly affected by the attacks.
- The centre will now focus on the areas as an existing one focuses on Baringo and other neighbouring counties.
Image: HANDOUT
A new command centre has been established for Isiolo, Meru, Laikipia and Samburu counties.
This follows increased banditry attacks in the areas in the past months that have led to deaths and displacement of people, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome said Tuesday.
Koome visited parts of Baringo which has been badly affected by the attacks.
The centre will now focus on the areas as an existing one focuses on Baringo and other neighbouring counties.
“Besides the Chemolingot Multi-Agency Operation Centre, we have now established a multi-agency command centre for Isiolo, Meru, Laikipia and Samburu,” he said.
He added they have deployed new sophisticated equipment and Formed Police Units in the affected areas including Loruk and Mukogodo to beef up the ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift.
The military and National Police Reservists continue to support the National Police Service with KDF having established additional camps in Nolkera and Kurkur along Malaso belt, Koome said.
His visit comes in the wake of a meeting he and other senior security officials held with President William Ruto on Saturday at his farm in Kilgoris, Narok County.
Koome said in February last year, the government declared the security situation in six Counties—Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu—as an emergency caused by rampant incidents of banditry.
“The situation had deteriorated drastically on account of the widespread banditry characterized by acts of criminality affecting law and order in the aforementioned Counties gazetted as 'Disturbed and Dangerous'.”
“The wanton insecurity as seen in the murder of civilians and security officers, displacement of persons, and paralyzed learning activities in the region prompted the adoption of the multi-agency response involving the NationalPolice Service as the lead agency, the Kenya Defence Forces, NationalGovernment Administration Office, local leaders, members of public and other stakeholders,” he said.
He said the multi-agency strategy significantly improved the security situation in the region the whole of last year, as seen by the return to normalcy, reopening of schools, resumption of learning, and recovery of firearms and stolen livestock.
Amidst the ongoing progress, he added, Isiolo and Meru Counties are experiencing a resurgence of cattle rustling and the banditry menace targeting ranches and conservancies.
Similarly, Saimo Soi Ward in Baringo County, Kerio Valley Belt and Morijo in Samburu Central Sub County have witnessed some recent attacks which have led to the partial displacement of population, loss of lives, property and closure of some learning institutions.
“The current resurgence of banditry that we are witnessing in Baringo, Isiolo and Meru Counties this year will neither be condoned by the government nor law-abiding citizens of Baringo, Samburu, Meru, Isiolo and indeed, the entire north Rift Region,” he vowed.
He said whether the resurgence of these attacks is attributed to retaliations among members of communities, collaboration among communities to attack members of other communities or be they targeted attacks on security personnel and installations, expansionist tendencies or the commercialization of banditry as the case has been, the law has to be followed.
“As a Service, we remain committed to protecting life and property, and ensure that normalcy returns to the North Rift Region.”
The visit came as bandits on Sunday, March 31 shot and killed a female herder aged 55 in a raid in Rotion grazing field within Kaben location, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Susan Betareng was grazing her livestock when she was shot in the right thigh and right hand and died instantly.
Three cows were also shot.
After the incident, the gunmen escaped without stealing the stock.
Ruto said security operation in the North Rift has had a significant impact in restoring peace.
He said newly acquired equipment will help in the ongoing operations to tame the attacks, especially in parts of Baringo County which is the worst affected.
“Recent incidents of cattle rustling and banditry are being handled with new additional measures. We are determined to restore peace in the North Rift and all other parts of the country that have witnessed disturbance of peace,” he said.
The situation in the region has continued to deteriorate in the recent past despite the presence of multi-agency security teams.
Several people have been killed by the bandits and others displaced.
Local leaders said over 70 people have been killed in separate attacks by the bandits in recent months in the area.