- The statement by the senator comes hours after a raid by about 50 bandits at Lomelo village in Suguta valley where three people, including a police reservist, were killed and two others injured.
- They are said to have overpowered a team of Rapid Deployment Unit officers.
Image: FILE
A day after the government outlined measures aimed at stemming banditry in the country, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has called for an amendment to the Terrorism Act.
Cherargei said cattle rustling and banditry should be declared acts of terrorism.
Victims of such acts, he said, should also get damages from the government.
“I have drafted an amendment to the Terrorism Act to declare cattle rustling and banditry an act of terrorism including compensation to the victims,” Cherargei said.
For an Act to be amended, a member submits an amendment bill through parliament which passes through various stages before it is approved by the whole House.
The statement by the senator comes hours after a raid by about 50 bandits at Lomelo village in Suguta valley where three people, including a police reservist, were killed and two others injured.
They are said to have overpowered a team of Rapid Deployment Unit officers.
A similar incident was also reported at Kiyach in Baringo where one person was killed by bandits said to be donning police reservists’ uniforms.
Suguta valley came to the limelight in November 2012 when 42 administration police officers were sprayed with bullets by suspected bandits.
Terrorism in Kenya is defined as the unlawful use of violence or threat of use of violence, with the intent to advance a political, religious, or ideological or put the public or a section of the public in fear.
Prevention of Terrorism Act was enacted in October 2012 to provide a comprehensive and effective legal framework to combat terrorism in the country.
Speaking on Monday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kindiki Kithure said the government has created a special squad that will monitor and pursue bandits in identified areas.
He said a High-Level Counter Banditry Land and Air Team complete with a situation room at the ministry headquarters to oversight daily progress in this war has been set up.
“The government is investing in community-based intelligence, drone surveillance technology, modern personal protection equipment and kitting for our security personnel and application of land and air assets to neuter bandits and rustlers,” he said.
Bandit-prone counties include Turkana, Isiolo, West Pokot, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Laikipia, and Baringo.
Meanwhile, the CS will on February 7 begin his three-day of the Kerio Valley.