The Government has set aside resources to open-up and expand roads in insecure areas within the Kerio Valley and parts of Northern and Upper Eastern Kenya to boost ongoing security operations.
Speaking Saturday in Chesongoch, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen, said the move will enable security officers to easily access remote and rugged regions that have long served as hideouts for bandits and criminal groups.
“We are going to set aside some resources that will help us access certain areas where we are conducting security operations,” Murkomen stated, adding, “This will not only improve mobility for our security agencies, but also open-up these regions for development,”.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that the initiative aligns with President William Ruto’s broader plan to transform marginalized regions.
“The President has a Marshall Plan to develop all the marginalized arid and semi-arid areas,” he said. “We want to ensure that the communities in these regions are not left behind in terms of infrastructure, security and other developments.”
Murkomen reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending banditry in the Kerio Valley once and for all, praising residents for cooperating with authorities in surrendering firearms.
“We are serious, we will finish banditry in the Kerio Valley region,” he declared. “I thank everyone who has surrendered guns. It is a good step forward, and the only remaining thing is to conduct empowerment programs that will support reformed bandits into engaging in gainful economic activities,” CS observed.
He revealed that 10 guns were recently surrendered in Tiaty, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to over 300 since the intensified disarmament campaign began.
Murkomen emphasized that the government’s goal is to ensure that no illegal guns remain in civilian hands, saying, “We want to make sure that all the guns have left the possession of civilians,”.
The Interior CS underscored that peace and security in the Kerio Valley, would pave way for a lasting development and restore confidence among residents who have lived in fear for years.
“Once we achieve full security, development will follow,” he said. “Our mission is not only to disarm, but also to empower and rebuild,” Murkomen stressed.
by Rennish Okong’o
