The government has forged a partnership with conservancies’ owners to weed out banditry and foster peace in insecurity prone counties.
Speaking in Nanyuki on Thursday during his security and citizen engagement tour in the area, Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, pointed out that partnership with the local conservancies will ensure they eradicate insecurity in the targeted counties of Baringo, Marsabit, Meru, Isiolo and Laikipia.
“Our objective is to explore on how to leverage on our partnership since most of the conservancies have rangers who are supported by the National Police Service, they provide security to conservancies and some of these conservancies have equipment that can be use by officers at the grassroot level,” stated the CS.
He emphasised that the joint effort would strengthen National Police Reservists (NPR) through training programmes and technological upgrades, enabling smoother and more efficient operations.
“We’re planning ways to bolster NPR members who aren’t rangers, focusing on community involvement in training and tech integration,” the CS explained.
He praised the conservancies for contributing helicopters and drones to surveillance efforts, which have significantly aided security missions.
The CS further highlighted that the security operations in the restive Mukogodo forest were ongoing and the government would not relent until bandits on the run are nabbed and peace restored.
He noted that following the operation which started two weeks ago, security apparatus have recovered 28 guns in Isiolo.
In Laikipia , the CS revealed that nine rifles and 550 livestock were recovered in Mukogodo forest , with five arrests made , disrupting the criminal network.
He said that the high level led security operation will continue until the region is fully secure and economic hubs opened up for the residents.
The CS regretted loss of lives due to insecurity in the region by condoling with the families who have lost their loved one including a teacher who was killed in Isiolo County on Wednesday in what is suspected to be revenge missions by bandits.He assured investigation over the incident were underway.
Murkomen commissioned Mwireri police post which is funded by National Government Constituency Development fund|(NG-CDF) and flagged off the construction of Mwireri –Maili Sita-Umande Ngenia road which he said would enhance security operations in the area.
Accompanying the CS were Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere among others.
by Muturi Mwangi
