KDF move into Kapedo as President Uhuru Kenyatta's ultimatum expires

President Uhuru Kenyatta at the Kapedo GSU camp during his tour of the area on November 2, 2014. PHOTO | PSCU

What you need to know:

  • Over 10 KDF Armoured Personnel Carriers transporting soldiers towards Kapedo.
  • Earlier in the day, the Nation spotted one military tank in Kapedo and on Sunday night, there was one more in the convoy headed to the insecurity hotspot.

The Kenya Defence Forces were on Sunday night deployed to the troubled Kapedo area hours after President Uhuru Kenyatta issued an ultimatum for pastoralists in the area to smoke out bandits responsible for the killing of over 20 policemen at the weekend.

President Kenyatta, who toured the area on Sunday, had ordered the locals to identify the raiders and surrender the guns and uniforms stolen from the policemen “by the end of the day”, failure to which a massive operation would be launched.

The Nation team on Sunday night saw over 10 KDF Armoured Personnel Carriers transporting soldiers towards Kapedo, a sign that a huge military operation was underway upon the expiry of the President’s ultimatum.

In Marigat, there was anxiety as the vehicles, which were snaking their way through the town, caused a huge traffic snarl-up as residents jammed the town’s streets to witness the soldiers’ movement.

Earlier in the day, the Nation spotted one military tank in Kapedo and on Sunday night, there was one more in the convoy headed to the insecurity hotspot.

The convoy seen on Sunday night included one water lorry; an indication that the soldiers could be in for the long-haul.

Earlier in the day, President Kenyatta concluded his tour of the volatile area by touring the Kapedo GSU camp where the slain officers were based and holding a meeting with top security chiefs.