Authorities in Laikipia have vowed to flush out bandits masquerading as herders in Mukogodo forest to restore peace.
Laikipia County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri said bandits have been using Mukogodo forest as their hideout, and promised that the government will deal with them severely.
“Mukogodo forest is a place where bandits have been driving stolen cattle. We don’t want to give them a chance to hide. It will be very tough for them to hide there again,” assured Kanyiri.
Kanyiri revealed that bandits had been having easy escape routes in Mukogodo forest where they disappear without a trace after stealing cattle from homesteads.
“Those bandits coming from neighbouring areas who are all the time stealing, killing people and destroying properties, are the ones the government wants to stop. Our aim is to ensure the forest is used rightfully but not to encourage banditry,” said the County Commissioner.
Kanyiri was reacting to a 30-day dusk to dawn curfew in Laikipia declared by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, a move Kanyiri said, will end banditry in the region.
Other counties the CS has declared curfew through a gazette notice are, Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Samburu and are classified as “Disturbed’’ and Dangerous”. areas.
Insecurity prone areas in Laikipia are Doldol, Olmoran and Ngarua whose residents Kanyiri directed should adhere to the curfew directive in a bid to restore peace.
Meanwhile, similarly, in 2021, the government declared curfew in Olmoran after hundreds of residents begun to flee their homes for safety due to increased series of attacks by armed bandits.
Land ownership disputes, drought and leadership wrangles were cited as a major cause of perennial insecurity in Laikipia-by the Laikipia North Member of Parliament Sarah Korere.
By Muturi Mwangi
