The government has turned to North Eastern and parts of Upper Eastern region in war on criminal activities
The government plans to intensify security operations in the North Rift and parts of Upper Eastern region in the coming weeks to weed out criminal activities.
Inteior cabinet secretary Kithure Kindiki, in a statement said that his ministry has embarked on a mission to beef up security in the area under a plan dubbed “Operation Maliza Uhalifu” to fight criminal elements in the region.
The operation, Kindiki said, will target those involved in criminal activities such as cattle rustling, highway robberies as well as human and narcotics smuggling which have been on the rise in the area.
The operation will target the counties of Marsabit, Isiolo, Meru North, Baringo, Samburu and Turkana.
“Incessant security threats posed by livestock rustlers, highway robbers, and traffickers of humans and narcotics require a comprehensive multi-agency eradication strategy,” the CS said.
“Operation Maliza Uhalifu will be intensified this year until the affected areas of Marsabit, Isiolo, Baringo, Samburu, Turkana and Meru North are completely pacified and readied for accelerated socioeconomic development,” he added.
Speaking after a strategy meeting with senior security managers at Shaba, Isiolo County, Kindiki said that for a long time, criminals have taken advantage of rough terrain, poor infrastructure and social vulnerabilities in the North Rift and Upper Eastern region to stage attacks.
He noted that the government is committed to weeding out such criminal elements, including through the use of force.
“Not even the unforgiving terrain or infrastructure limitations will stop the ongoing war against livestock rustling and highway robbery in the North Rift and parts of Upper Eastern region.
“The trafficking of humans and the trade in narcotics and illegal firearms are also the other security threats on the priority of the multi-agency personnel undertaking the operation,” the CS said.