Nanyuki: The government has forged a partnership with conservancies’ owners to weed out banditry and foster peace in insecurity prone counties. Speaking in Nanyuki on Thursday during his security and citizen engagement tour in the area, Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, pointed out that partnership with the local conservancies will ensure they eradicate insecurity in the targeted counties of Baringo, Marsabit, Meru, Isiolo, and Laikipia.
According to Kenya News Agency, the collaboration aims to leverage the resources and personnel of the conservancies, which include rangers supported by the National Police Service, to enhance security in these regions. Murkomen emphasized that the joint effort would strengthen National Police Reservists (NPR) through training programs and technological upgrades, enabling smoother and more efficient operations. He highlighted that the plan focuses on community involvement in training and tech integration.
The Interior Cabinet Secretary praised the conservancies for their contribution of helicopters and drones to surveillance efforts, significantly aiding security missions. He further noted that security operations in the restive Mukogodo forest were ongoing, with the government determined to capture fleeing bandits and restore peace.
Murkomen reported that since the operation began two weeks ago, security forces have recovered 28 guns in Isiolo. In Laikipia, nine rifles and 550 livestock were recovered in Mukogodo forest, and five arrests were made, disrupting the criminal network. He assured that the high-level security operation would continue until the region is fully secure and economic hubs are opened for residents.
Expressing regret over the loss of lives due to insecurity, Murkomen extended condolences to families who lost loved ones, including a teacher killed in Isiolo County on Wednesday in a suspected bandit revenge mission. He assured that investigations into the incident are underway.
Murkomen also commissioned the Mwireri police post, funded by the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), and flagged off the construction of the Mwireri-Maili Sita-Umande Ngenia road, which he said would enhance security operations in the area. Accompanying him were Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere, among others.
