Govt extends dusk to dawn curfew in restive parts of North Rift for 30 days
The Government has announced a 30-day extension of the dusk to dawn curfew in “disturbed and dangerous” areas within six counties in the North Rift.
Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki when making the announcement on Wednesday said the Government was not certain when the operation to flush bandits would come to an end but was certain of winning the war and restoring peace in troubled areas.
In mid February this year, the Government announced a night curfew in banditry prone areas of Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu and Laikipia counties as a multi agency team comprising of Kenya Defence Forces and other security agents moved in to flush out the criminals.
But the operation has been hampered by slow progress at times Government security forces appearing overwhelmed by battle hardened criminals possessing sophisticated weapons and hiding in gorges and valleys.
Low morale by security officers deployed to the areas as well as lack of proper coordination between KDF and the police service has been cited as one of the obstacles in the operation to restore peace.
But Prof Kindiki when speaking in Nanyuki Town, Laikipia County on Wednesday put up a brave face and commended the security agencies saying so far they have done a commendable job so far.
“We have what it takes to fight the bandits and very soon we shall upscale police equipment in a modernisation programme which will include armoured vehicles and helicopters for aerial surveillance. This is an undertaking that we are not prepared to lose or give up, it is either the bandit or Kenya,” said Prof Kindiki.
The admitted that the National Police Reserves (NPRs) have a big role to play in assisting the Government neutralize the criminals one and for all.
“We recognise the role played by NPRS as the first respondent at the village level even before security agencies are mobilized to the scene. The Government will empower them so that they can play their role effectively,” he said.
The CS announced that all NPRS across the country will be put under the NHIF medical insurance cover by the Government, get uniforms and receive monthly allowances to boost their morale.
Earlier, Prof Kindiki visited one of the NPRs from Laikipia North Sub-county Mr Stephen Morijo who is hospitalized after being shot by suspected bandits during an operation last weekend to recover some 75 head of cattle stolen from Enasoit Ranch.
The bandits were driving the stolen animals towards Mukogodo forest, one of the areas declared dangerous and believed to be a hideout for bandits.
“I am happy that all the stolen animals were recovered and thank the NPRs particularly Mr Morijo even as I sympathize with his condition after the shooting. We are now determined more than ever to rid Mukogodo forest of the bandits,” said Prof Kindiki.
The CS issued a directive to all civilians residing inside the expansive forest to vacate immediately ahead of a multi agency operation which he said would commence immediately. BY DAILY NATION
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