Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has recommended an extension of security operations from six Counties in North Rift Valley to Marsabit, Isiolo, and Meru beginning next year.
Prof Kindiki said the operation, ‘Maliza Uhalifu’ will target a notorious corridor along Samburu East, Marsabit, Isiolo, and Meru where disreputable criminals had been stealing animals and killing uniformed officers in pursuit of the culprits.
The CS urged the Regional Commissioner for Rift Valley Abdi Hassan and his counterpart from Eastern Paul Rotich and their security teams to map out the exact areas along the corridor where the criminals operate from so that the operation could commence at the turn of the year.
“Through the operation, the government will destroy infrastructures of violence and curb the deaths of livestock owners and even the police officers as the criminals full of impunity let loose in the pockets of the region,” Prof Kindiki added.
He warned that the chiefs and other National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) and the police commanders, failing to work towards ensuring that stolen animals and the crime suspects are handed over to the authorities will be held solely accountable.
He said civilians within the operation areas will have to vacate the locality as the criminals either surrender or face the consequences.
The CS further said the war against narcotics, terrorism, and cattle rustling had been complicated owing to the fact that the country had not been able to depoliticize security matters for ages.
“Mixing security matters with politics in the country is a threat to the future of the country,” Prof Kindiki said adding that the government was ready to delink security from politics at all costs for the country to be stable.
By Abduba Mamo and David Nduro
