Cabinet Secretary Interior Hon. Kithure Kindiki appearing before the Senate on 26th April 2023.
As banditry is a headache in the North, Cabinet Secretary for Interior & National Administration appeared before the Senate to give updates on the status of security raised by various senators before the house and updates on the Kilifi cults and the vast 800-acre Shakahola ranch linked to Mr. Mackenzie.
Sen (Dr.) Ltumbesi Lelegwe paused tough questions asking the CS to give an update on Samburu and environs security status.
The Powerful CS affirmed on 13th Feb 2023, the government deployed joint operations to restore normalcy after serious instances of breach of peace adding the police force through the inclusion of KDF.
Kindiki has however said that Samburu areas security status has improved from what he terms is the biggest step he has observed by invading the hide-outs of the bandits through high establishment finding that some places like the caves and gorges where the attacks were being planned by the bandits.
The CS confirms that all the places used as hide-outs in Baringo and Elgeyo Markwet among others are now clean and says that the presence of police forces will not allow again the clean and clear areas to be dominated by the banditry again promising that the areas will be fully occupied by the police to give room for the people to live safely.
Prof. Kindiki reports that the government is working hard to clean all the remains threats for the people of the north to live saying that the bandits had specific areas where they used to plan attacks. The government noticed that; after giving the ultimatum of 24hrs of vacation, the banditry also took the 24-hour window to mix up with the people.
“Operations in our view a success, we have learned there are still gaps but we shall seal the gaps, we are determined and we will win the war, its either Kenya or banditry, it’s either the law or crime as Kenya will not give way for bandits, Kenya will stand as bandits must give way,” CS says.
The government is improving the intelligence within all agencies of police as the agencies have helped in containing the threats of the bandits saying Kenya will win through the intelligence units.
“We have deployed and enhanced the special operations groups which helped us a great deal 2 months to stabilize Samburu North and the area of Baragoi there were guns and bloodshed every day but the area is cleared clean.” CS Prof. Kindiki sad.
The future is in the specialized formed units including the general unit terming them as the front soldiers of this and the areas have been cleared as we call it.
-Invest in peace-building activities by doing disarmament assuring the public that all criminals holding guns surrender the arms maintaining that the government will defeat the banditry as the government is investing in a long time possibilities by empowering the future of the north by silencing the terrorists.
Kindiki reports that the government is compiling data from August last year of cattle rustling set to be released.
Hon Kindiki said that in his possession they have crucial evidence that the attack in Kainuk 2022 was geared, that the senior commanders in the banditry criminal are geared by some politicians and is set to be released promises to build a case in court against the sponsors of bandits saying that their activities have been linked in the support of encouraging banditry.
“I believe that the future of our country is the Northern part facing insecurity” CS Kithure Kindiki affirmed.
CS Prof. Kindiki said that the government is considering the shift of empowering the chiefs with guns to help in providing security.
Concerning the area (Shakahola) he has said that it is an active security operation zone and no access to it by the public shall be permitted effective 26th April 2023, except as may be permitted by the operation Commander and/or until these orders are vacated.
Interior CS has however imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Shakahola and banned public gatherings, processions, or movement during the period of curfew into and out of Chakama Ranch for the next 30 days.
