Interior and National Coordination Cabinet Secretary Professor Kithure Kindiki has directed security personnel in the country to use necessary force to protect the lives and property of Kenyans
Speaking in Tiamamut and Kimanjo villages in Laikipia North sub-county when he visited the area following the killing of Il Motiok chief by armed bandits, Prof. Kindiki directed security personnel to be in the forefront in stopping crime before it was executed.
“The gun you have is to protect our people and also yourself from criminals, so you must always you get them before they get you,” The CS said.
Prof. Kindiki reiterated that the government would not negotiate with any criminal or gangs terrorizing people and vowed that they would be dealt with firmly.
“We do not want to pre-empt what action is going to be taken against these bandits, cattle rustlers and other criminals in our towns, but I can assure that they will be crushed,” he said.
The CS further directed that all government administrators to constantly patrol areas affected by banditry in the Rift valley region and get real-time intelligence on the criminals for effective restoration of law and order.
“I have directed all National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) starting from chiefs all the way to the Regional Commissioner not to stay in the offices but they should be out there where people are facing security threats,” he added.
The CS further revealed that he had assured the security personnel in the Rift Valley regions affected by banditry of all the necessary government support in terms of resources in order to fight runaway crime in the area.
He further revealed that the recruitment of 360 National Police reserves (NPRs) in Laikipia would commence in a week’s time in order to boost security in the affected areas. This was among the requests made by local leaders who spoke.
Laikipia North MP Sarah Lekorere who was also present lamented that 19 people from the area had lost their lives in the hands of armed bandits in less than two years. She called for deployment of more NPRs
“Every now and then we get attacks from bandits from a neighbouring county yet the government response has always been slow. How about they deploy more NPRs to assist in ensuring that there is security in this area?” Lekorere posed.
The MP claimed that the attacks were a well calculated move by the aggressors from a neighbouring county to displace the local community in Tiamamut in order to easily access grazing fields.
Il Motiok chief Jacob Yiangere was killed on Sunday evening at his home in Tiamamut village after three armed men raided his home, ransacked the entire house before shooting him dead at his compound. It is believed the bandits wanted to get hold of a firearm the chief had and upon failing to get it, they eliminated him in cold blood.
The CS was accompanied by Inspector General of police Japheth Koome, Rift valley Regional Commissioner Maalim Mohamed among other senior security personnel.
Source: Kenya News Agency