Govt recruits 500 police reservists for terror-prone areas of Lamu and Garissa

A Kenya Police Reservist (KPR) at work in Basuba, Lamu East Sub-County. The government has recruited an additional 500 KPRs who will serve in terror-prone areas in Lamu and Garissa Counties. PHOTO | KALUME KAZUNGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Serian said the names of the recruited individuals have already been sent to Police IG Joseph Boinett for approval.
  • He said more security patrols had been enhanced by an increased number of security forces conducting the Linda Boni operation.
  • He appealed to locals to cooperate with the security agents including the newly recruited KPR officers.
  • Early 2015, over 60 KPRs in Lamu East Sub County quit their jobs and returned their guns, citing poor working conditions and lack of pay.

The national government has recruited an additional 500 Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) who will serve in terror-prone areas in Lamu and Garissa Counties.

The 500 KPR officers will serve in areas where the multi-agency Operation Linda Boni is ongoing and is in its seventh month.

The operation is meant to flush out Al-Shabaab elements suspected to be hiding inside the vast Boni Forest.

Linda Boni Operation Director James ole Serian has confirmed that 300 KPR officers have been recruited in various parts of Lamu while 200 others were recruited in Garissa County.

Mr ole Serian said the move was taken to strengthen the security of the citizens at the grassroots particularly in areas covered by the ongoing Operation Linda Boni.

NAMES SENT TO IG FOR APPROVAL

Speaking to the Nation by phone, Mr Serian said the names of the recruited individuals have already been sent to the Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinett for approval.

Mr Serian said the 500 KPRs will start work immediately after their approval.

He said more security patrols had been enhanced by an increased number of security forces conducting the Linda Boni operation adding that the additional 500 KPR officers will greatly boost the Linda Boni activities aimed at protecting the citizens and eliminating Al-Shabaab elements in the region.

He appealed to locals to cooperate with the security agents including the newly recruited KPR officers and be ready to give information that will aid in eradicating criminals in the region.

Commenting on the same, Lamu County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri said he was happy with the government’s efforts in ensuring citizens are protected.

IMPROVE KPR DEPARTMENT

Mr Kanyiri said the government was in the process of improving the KPR department in order to serve wananchi well.

He said the 300 KPR that were recruited in Lamu will occupy vacancies left by those who had retired and also the ones who opted to quit the service.

“It is true. We have recruited 300 KPR officers in Lamu. These will fill the vacancies left by the retired fellows. Some have also quit service. Other officers have also been recruited to add to the existing number since the region is vast,” said Mr Kanyiri.

Early February 2016, more than 100 KPR officers from villages that have been experiencing attacks in Lamu County asked the government to equip them with sophisticated weapons to enable them fight the Al-Shabaab militants who were terrorising the region.

The KPR officers from Kaisari, Pandanguo, Jima, Poromoko, Nyatha, Bar’goni and Basuba said the government had ignored them by leaving them to use outdated guns which could not be used to attack and counter attacks from Al-Shabaab militants.

Early 2015, over 60 KPRs in Lamu East Sub County quit their jobs and returned their guns, citing poor working conditions and lack of pay.