- According to Koome, the operation has also led to the arrest of about 251 individuals as well as the recovery of over 11,600 livestock.
- He said that several other bandits have been neutralised by the multi-agency team in the process.
Image: NPS/X
Inspector General Japhet Koome now says that the multi-agency security teams leading the operation against banditry in nine counties have so far recovered 184 firearms, since February.
According to Koome, the operation has also led to the arrest of about 251 individuals as well as the recovery of over 11,600 livestock.
He said that several other bandits have been neutralised by the multi-agency team in the process.
"The dynamics in these areas are quite difficult. We have been there for a while and we have 184 firearms recovered so far since we started this operation in February. Illegal firearms are out there to hurt our people," Koome said.
"We have arrested about 251 people, a number have been neutralised. We have recovered almost 11,600 livestock."
The IG noted that banditry is an organised criminal enterprise and the multi-agency team will not leave the affected counties any time soon.
"There are now nine counties. In all these places where we have banditry and livestock rustling, there are more sheep and goats stolen than cows. This is an organised criminal enterprise we are not pulling out from there soon," he said.
Koome added that while they remain committed to eradicating banditry, Baringo remains their biggest challenge.
He further stated that while he would not want to discuss their issues publicly, he has held talks with the county's leadership and they are working on finding a solution.
"There's a lot of commitment going on and the only place we have a problem is in Baringo," the IG said.
Over the weekend, Defence CS Aden Duale announced the government’s plan to use special forces to end banditry in seven counties in the North Rift region.
He said this is part of the President's commitment to end banditry.
Some of the North Rift counties affected by banditry include Laikipia, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Turkana and Samburu.
"We will treat banditry the way we treat al Shaabab along the Somalia borders,” Duale said.
President William Ruto's administration has laid bare its strategy to crush bandits.
These efforts have been spearheaded by Interior CS Kithure Kindiki who has declared gravely affected counties as disturbed areas.
He has also led the formation of multi-agency teams and the acquisition of modern equipment for the responsible teams to end banditry.