Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has launched an operation to flush out bandits from Kamologon Forest in Elgeyo Marakwet County in an effort to address concerns about security between West Pokot and the Elgeyo Marakwet border. Speaking while addressing a public security baraza at Kalya market, at the border of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties, on Tuesday, CS Kindiki said that the government would keep up its fight against cattle rustling and maintain peace in the banditry-affected counties. According to CS Kindiki, the government will launch a major operation in the Kamologon Forest to flush out bandits and armed criminals who have terrorised residents for years and used the forest as a hideout while carrying out their criminal activities. He said the government is taking the security concerns of the residents seriously in an effort to ensure lasting peace and tranquilly in the region. ‘The government is committed to combating crime and lawlessness in the region,’ CS Kindiki said. He emphasised that the government is the only entity in the country with greater power and urged the community to uphold law and order in order for the country to realise its economic growth. He asked the communities to come together and work with the appropriate authorities to address the challenges of insecurity collectively, urging them to stop engaging in activities that could lead to crimes. He declared that the government would take appropriate action against the criminals terrorising the locals across the country. ‘The government will not relent in the crackdown on armed criminals,’ stated Kindiki. He claimed that while criminals will be pursued individually by police, no innocent person will be affected or any community will be profiled during the operation. The CS thanked the governors of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties for their efforts to resolve the insecurity problems in their counties. ‘I commend West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin and Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich for spearheading peacebuilding efforts and investing in social economic activities that have helped promote peace between the communities,’ he said. Elsewhere in another function in Elgeyo Marakwet County, CS Kindiki, accompanied by local leaders and security officials, inspected progress in the construction of the Tangul-Kolomogon road and Amani Road, which links Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot County. He said the government is constructing roads in the region and that once they are open for use, they will help in the fight against cattle rustling activities. Furthermore, he said that when the roads are open, it will ease the movement of people and increase security. The CS announced the government has allocated Sh4 million in support for three schools and a church at the border of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties, with each receiving Sh1 million in an effort aimed at promoting development and fostering peace at the border. Governor Kachapin and his counterpart Rotich reiterated their commitment to support the security initiatives being carried out by the national government security agencies in the two counties, noting that doing so will help to address the security issues that have long plagued the area. The governors agreed that it was time to put an end to the constant fighting and start initiatives that would boost the economy in their respective counties.

Source: Kenya News Agency