Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has warned bandits terrorizing the northern grazing zones, especially in Meru County, that their days are numbered.
He said the government will soon embark on a massive security operation to flush them out and ensure that peace and tranquility are fully restored in the troubled area.
Speaking in Ahtwana ward during an empowerment program, the DP said more specialized security officers and police reservists have been deployed to the areas, asserting the government’s quest to get rid of banditry and cattle rustling in the region once and for all.
“We are going to fix this problem once and for all. We will increase national police reservists and security officers in the area. We will hunt them wherever they are and flush them out,” he noted.
The DP referenced the progress made in dealing with the bandits in Kerio Valley in the North Rift and terrorists in Lamu saying the same force and tact will be employed in fighting the criminals and cattle rustlers disturbing peace in Meru North.
“This is a national problem. It is beyond the Governor, MPs, MCAs or local leaders. We are ready for it and I will ensure peace and order is fully restored in the disturbed areas,” said Professor Kindiki.
At the same time, the Deputy President vowed that the Mt. Kenya region will not leave the government, promising to ensure fulfillment of all promises made by the administration to the region.
He stated that the Kenya Kwanza administration was voted in by the majority of residents and will continue to benefit from development programmes and projects like every other part of the country.
“We must remain in government to benefit from its programmes because we voted for it. Do not be cowed into abandoning a government you fought for and elected,” said the DP.
He assured the residents that the ongoing projects in the area will be accelerated for them to draw benefits.
“We are fulfilling all the promises we made to the people of Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and across the country. We will not be drawn into the retrogressive politics of pride, insults and violence because that is not how we have been brought up,” he noted.
The government is funding projects worth billions of shillings in the region. Among them are the tarmacking of Kirindine-Mikinduri and Kunene-Miomponi Roads which are key to opening the area to economic development.
Modern markets are also underway, with most of them nearing completion.
The DP also promised residents affected by the prolonged dry spell in the area that relief food will be delivered to the region.
“We will not let the people suffer. We will support them until the situation eases,” he promised.
by Dickson Mwiti
