NAIROBI, Kenya, May 19-At least 96 firearms have been recovered in Samburu County over the last two weeks in the ongoing multi-agency Operation code-named Maliza Uhalifu in parts of the North Rift.
The illegal firearms were surrendered by members of the public to authorities.
According to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, 75 goats and cows were also recovered by the security agencies from the bandits who have continued to wreak havoc in the county.
The revelation was made Friday when Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki met with Rift Valley security chiefs in Samburu County to assess the security situation in the North Rift region.
The meeting brought together Rift Valley Regional Security Chiefs and Intelligence Committee and the Samburu County Security and Intelligence Committee.
Kindiki also presided over a peace Baraza at Longewan Centre to receive livestock that were recovered by security forces from bandits.
Samburu is among six counties in the North Rift that are currently under the dusk-to-dawn curfew.
Kindiki’s Samburu visit comes a day after he presided over the graduation ceremony of 200 National Police Reservists (NPRs) in Baringo’s Kimalel Grounds.
Commenting on the newly trained NPR officers, Kindiki said that they will be deployed to complement the efforts of the multi-agency security operation team in Baringo North and Baringo South Constituencies.
The Interior CS affirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating banditry for good.
“I am the minister who will oversee the end of this barbaric practice of banditry and cattle rustling. Give me time and your support. We cannot allow a few criminals to continue terrorizing our country,” he said.
In regard to the welfare of the NPRs, Kindiki said that effective July 1, every NPR will have an NHIF medical cover.
“This medical cover will be extended to their family members,” he said.
He further revealed that the design for NPR uniform is almost complete noting that the Government will kit all NPR officers including footwear to enable them to execute their duties effectively.
Kindiki insisted that the State will do whatever it takes to ensure that all the stolen livestock in Baringo and the entire region are recovered.
The Interior CS further warned any individuals against sabotaging the ongoing security operation saying they will be brought to book.
