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North Rift to be combed for guns
Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery announces the start of a disarmament operation in the North Rift on May 6, 2015 at Harambee House, Nairobi. He is with Secretary to the Cabinet Monica Juma and Deputy Inspector-General of Police Samuel Arachi. PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- He said a series of attacks in Sarima in Samburu, Lomerok on the border of Samburu and Turkana counties and Nadome on the Turkana-Baringo border had left a trail of death and destruction.
- he decision to begin the operation, he said, was reached after leaders from the region failed to eradicate cattle rustling as they promised in a meeting held on January 7.
- Kenya Defence Forces Spokesperson David Obonyo said an operation was already going on in parts of the North Rift.
A major security operation has been ordered in the North Rift following the recent bandit attacks that have left at least 70 people dead in the region.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery yesterday said he had ordered a joint security operation to arrest the culprits and disarm the residents.
Stern action would be taken against local leaders who would be found to have been involved in the killings, he said. The decision to begin the operation, he said, was reached after leaders from the region failed to eradicate cattle rustling as they promised in a meeting held on January 7.
“I urged each leader during the meeting held at Boma (Hotel) to ask their people to desist from any acts that would violate the nation’s laws and contribute to insecurity.
“Unfortunately, the North Rift has remained the valley of death for innocent Kenyans and destruction of their properties,” said Mr Nkaissery.
He said a series of attacks in Sarima in Samburu, Lomerok on the border of Samburu and Turkana counties and Nadome on the Turkana-Baringo border had left a trail of death and destruction.
“Innocent men, women and even children today lie dead as a result of bandit attacks and I am really disappointed that the political leaders from these areas have not lived up to their commitment.”
The internal security boss said the leaders had, instead of preaching peace, been persistently inciting their communities against each other. “I am warning these leaders that action will be taken against any of them that will be found to have incited any form of violence.”
The minister, however, refused to give the official death toll.
“I am not interested in the number of people killed,” he retorted when asked about the figures. “As the minister in charge, even one life of a Kenyan is very important.” Though the operation would involve all security agencies, the minister did not disclose whether or how the military would be involved.
Kenya Defence Forces Spokesperson David Obonyo said an operation was already going on in parts of the North Rift. “However, at the moment, I do not have the details of the operation to be launched,” he said.
