- Dozens of people who escaped the targeted areas are camping at various places in need of food and shelter.
- The government has declared the counties of Samburu, Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, West Pokot and Laikipia as disturbed and dangerous
Troops in parts of North Rift have bombed a bandits' hideout in Tandare valley, Baringo county.
Residents near the valley said they heard the bombing at 6 am on Thursday.
No more details were available on the incident as the area remained a no-go zone after an ultimatum issued by the government for residents to leave the area lapsed.
Dozens of people who escaped the targeted areas are camping at various places in need of food and shelter.
Residents in Tandare said they heard loud explosions amid claims there was a bombing targeting bandits still holed up therein.
This came as the government assured those in areas that the exercise will be conducted in line with the law.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said that the fundamental rights and freedoms of residents in the targeted areas will not be violated during the ground and air assault on suspected bandits.
"The government assures the public and all oversight agencies that no individual (will be) displaced from their home or places of habitual residence without support to settle elsewhere and lead their daily lives normally," Kindiki said.
The government has declared the counties of Samburu, Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, West Pokot and Laikipia as disturbed and dangerous owing to numerous and persistent incidents of violent bandit attacks.
More than 140 people have died in the hands of marauding bandits in the last seven months in the counties, including 20 security personnel.
Residents in marked areas where bandits are suspected to be hiding in caves, escarpments, forests, gorges and rugged terrain were ordered to vacate prior to the onset of the operation.
The last such ultimatum expired on Tuesday at 7.30 pm. The joint Security Operation is led by the National Police Service (NPS) with the assistance of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
Deputy Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow is the Commander in charge of the operation.
Despite a heavy police presence in the marked areas, armed bandits have continued to attack, kill and rob residents before retreating to caves and forests from where they monitor the public and security personnel as they plan further attacks.
One person was on Tuesday evening killed by bandits in Kagir, Baringo county and more than 200 animals were stolen.
In the 6 pm incident, where 44-year-old Kakuko was shot several times by the bandits, livestock were stolen belonging to two families and taken towards the neighbouring Tiaty subcounty.
It is reported that after the bandits killed the man, they returned on Wednesday morning and made away with about 209 livestock.
The bandits then staged another attack around mid-morning in Chemorong'ion, Baringo South, where they also stole an unknown number of livestock.