Murkomen, security chiefs visit Baringo over new banditry attacks

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen led a delegation of security officials to Baringo County on Wednesday, following a new wave of bandit attacks.

They visited various security camps to check on ongoing operations and concluded that the situation was under control.

More than ten people have been killed in the area in the new attacks in the past months.

Murkomen was briefed extensively on the ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu in North Rift and concluded there is progress made, especially on reversing the cattle rustling tag that has been a near permanent stain in the pastoralist counties of North Rift.

He thanked the multi-agency teams, which include formed-up units and promised the government's unwavering support in terms of resource mobilisation and the application of technology in the continued fight against banditry.

While acknowledging that there have been isolated incidents of insecurity, Murkomen said he was delighted that schools are roaring back to life and that general calmness is now being keenly felt.

He said he was joining the local communities and the security agencies in celebrating the milestones being realised in plain sight.

“Few 'propagandists' would not deter the progress being realized, and we urge leaders to preach and embrace peace wholeheartedly,” he said.

He also asked community-policing mechanisms to be deployed more robustly for effective realisation of peace and co-existence for the good of the people and the communities.

Inspector General of police Douglas Kanja applauded all the officers working in the North Rift, saying that the results of their efforts are becoming clear.

He said more schools have reopened, people are resettled in their farms with vibrant farming and economic activities going on, and the communities are now largely enjoying enhanced security levels.

“We have seen progress, and we urge all to support the ongoing campaign to address this menace,” he said.

Last week, a chief was killed in the area in an attack. This prompted an operation targeting the bandits.

Also present was DIG APS Gilbert Masengeli, the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Hassan Abdi, the Commandant GSU Ranson Lolmodoni, the Commandant Anti-Stock Theft Unit Joseph Limo and the RPC Rift Valley Jasper Ombati.

The area is among those under ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift.

The operation has led to a general decline in banditry attacks in the larger north rift and other surrounding areas in the past year.

At least 172 illegal firearms were recovered last year in ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift.

The operation has also seen a significant drop in cattle rustling cases, the Ministry of Interior said.

The operation has led to a 62 per cent reduction in the number of cattle rustling occurrences, with cases dropping from 63,054 stolen livestock to 23,668—a decline of 39,386 heads of cattle.

Notably, 172 illegal firearms were collected during mop-up exercises and 10,173 livestock have been recovered,” officials said.

During the same period, 250 suspects, including 14 political leaders, were arrested and prosecuted.