Trust and confidence between communities and security agencies is needed to eradicate the menace of banditry, National Cohesion and Integration Commission has said.
In a presentation to the Senate Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration, NCIC advised the government to establish forums for engagement and collaboration with communities at the centre of the current multiagency security operation.
“There is a need to mobilise all strategic and primary stakeholders’ including politicians, cultural and eminent/active peacebuilders to be fully engaged in the peace, security and disarmament process,” NCIC said in its report.
The commission said the engagement will not only contribute to creating the conditions for sustainable disarmament but also contribute to the effectiveness of the operation by leveraging community insights and expertise.
“Citizens must be persuaded and swayed to trust the security agencies and verse versa for meaningful information sharing that will aid the security operations and disarmament,” it said.
“Nyumba Kumi initiatives and community-led peace infrastructures provide good entry points for such engagements that should be strengthened and supported.”
President William Ruto imposed a curfew and ordered the Kenya Defence Force to support the police in the fight against bandits and cattle rustlers in northern Kenya amid soaring violence that has claimed more than 100 civilians and six police officers in the past six months.
The operation is being carried out in Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu counties.
Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki called the situation a national emergency and told bandits they will “meet the full force of the law.”
“Special camps should be set up in all conflict areas/zones of the affected counties for purposes of the quick response by the communities working closely with the security personnel on the ground,” NCIC said in its report,
The commission said disarmament process should take a community-led approach with security agencies at the centre.
