The national security operation ‘Ondoa Jangili’ will continue in an effort to restore order in the already identified security hotspots across the country says Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
Murkomen said that there are concerns over emergence of banditry, drug and human trafficking with Isiolo County categorized as one of the hotspots.
During an inspection tour of Isiolo County on Thursday, the CS revealed that a multi-agency team has strengthened crackdowns aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating in the region through the ‘Ondoa Jangili’ strategy.
He also said that an operation in the area had recovered 46 rifles and bhang worth Sh10 million at street value adding that the campaign to eradicate the vices would be escalated to end the vice.
The CS said that security agencies were on high alert and warned officers who are colluding with criminals would be dealt with without mercy and according to the law.
He revealed that four suspects armed with rifles were recently arrested and the firearms recovered. He further said another nine individuals were arrested while escorting smuggled bhang and human beings from a neighbouring country.
The CS added that hard drugs smuggled from the neighbouring country were ruining most of the young people in Isiolo with the area ranked third after Mombasa and Nairobi.
He directed that the chiefs and their assistants should work for the government that had employed them and stop taking orders from politicians who are harbouring personal interests at the expense of service delivery to the people.
Murkomen added that chiefs should avail to their seniors any important intelligence reports concerning citizens in their areas of jurisdiction in a bid to enable the government to respond to situations in time.
He also said that the chiefs who felt that their performance of duty was threatened by insecurity were free to apply for firearms and further directed the County Commissioners to identify the areas and the deserving chiefs.
The CS was accompanied by Eastern Regional Commissioner Mr. Paul Rotich, senior National Government Administrative Officers and senior security officers from the region.
By Abduba Mamo and David Nduro
