IG Koome visits Baringo amid renewed banditry attacks

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome visited a command centre used to coordinate operations targeting bandits in the North Rift amid a new wave of attacks in the region.

The multi-agency command centre is the police-military coordination centre in Operation Maliza Uhalifu launched against the banditry menace in the six counties declared last year by the government as "Disturbed and Dangerous".

The team is based at Chemolingot, Baringo.

Koome was accompanied by the Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Douglas Kanja, Commandant General Service Unit Eliud Lagat, and Director Operations Administration Police Service Godfrey Otunge among others.

Koome commended the officers for their dedication, and further called upon them to remain committed to serving the country.

He also met military officers at the camp, and police commanders from the Anti Stock Theft Unit, Baringo, Samburu, West Pokot, Laikipia, Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet.

The visit to the centre is aimed at boosting a newly planned operation in the area.

Bandits have rendered some areas inhabitable attacking residents for animals.

They have killed dozens in the attacks in the places and rendered some roads impassable.

The government has resorted to deploying specialised officers to supplement ongoing operations to address banditry in parts of North Rift.

This is part of fresh efforts to address the gangs behind the trend that has paralysed operations in some areas.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has in the past weeks also visited the places affected by the menace to reassure agencies deployed there they are committed to the war against banditry.

He has visited Meru, Laikipia, Baringo, Samburu, Isiolo, Elgeyo Marakwet and Marsabit as part of the campaigns against the menace.

Residents have also staged protests over the attacks calling for more efforts to address the issue.

For instance, on Sunday, the gangs in Samburu killed two including a retired police officer in an attack. Kindiki declared that bandits would face the same treatment as terrorists. 

“We are bringing in special forces to help us deal with the hardcore commanders of banditry. To ruthlessly pursue the livestock rustlers, we are deploying the same measures we've deployed to tackle terrorism," Kindiki said. 

"There is no difference between bandits and terrorists. Their ideology is the same and they must be shown no mercy."

He said, the ongoing operation, dubbed Maliza Uhalifu, will persist for the long haul until the menace of banditry has been decimated completely. 

"Operation Maliza Uhalifu will continue uninterrupted and for the long haul until the problem of banditry and livestock rustling is completely eradicated and the areas affected by the menace are pacified," Kindiki added. 

"I reiterate that this administration will end the nonsense of livestock theft and open up the North Rift Valley Region for development and economic growth."

He added the number of bandit commanders who have either been neutralised or arrested and it is testimony to the success of the operation. 

"The many planned banditry attacks that have been thwarted, the huge recovery of stolen livestock and the return of economic activities, such as farming to areas that were for a long time hotspots for armed criminals is clear evidence of the success of ongoing security operations and the effects of strategic measures established by our multi-agency security officers.”

He also revealed the government's plan to set up peace schools in the troubled North Rift. 

He said the schools will cater to children from different communities who will be taught in an environment free from the bad influence of negative things like banditry and livestock rustling. 

"That way, we will be creating a new generation that is not poisoned by negative things like banditry and livestock rustling," he added. 

"As a government, we believe that there is no child who is a bandit. No child is born a criminal. They are taught these evil habits as they grow up."