KDF officers to be deployed to banditry-prone areas - Defence CS Aden Duale

In a statement dated February 13, CS Duale stated that the KDF officers will be expected to assist the National Police Service (NPS) in alleviating the dire security situation that has been declared a National Emergency since Monday.

"The Kenya Defence Forces shall be deployed in support of the National Police Service in response to the security emergency in Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu Counties caused by rampant incidents of banditry," he said.

The Defence Minister also condemned cattle rustling and banditry in the region, issuing a stern warning to the perpetrators that they will face harsh punishment.

"The security of Kenyans is something the Government will not gamble with. Anyone, the bandits in particular, who is perpetrating acts of violence on innocent civilians will be dealt with swiftly and conclusively!," he said.

This comes amid chaos in the country's North Rift region, which has resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives, the displacement of residents, and the loss of thousands of livestock.

So dire is the situation that President William Ruto was prompted to order interior CS Prof. Kithure Kindiki to relocate to the insecurity-stricken region, where he is expected to restore security.

"I have told him to leave his office in Nairobi to go and live in the North Rift until the banditry comes to an end,” said Ruto.

According to CS Kindiki's statement on Monday, over 100 civilians and 16 police officers have been brutally murdered in the last six months by marauding bandits and livestock rustlers.

The government has also ordered that anyone in the country who is in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition surrender them willingly within the next three days.

According to the Interior Ministry, those who do not surrender their firearms within the specified time will face the full force of the law.