In a bid to curb rising banditry attacks in six regions, the Kenyan government has announced the deployment of military troops. The announcement was made via a gazette notification released by Defence CS Aden Duale on Monday, February 13. The deployment is set to take effect on Wednesday, February 15, with the Kenya Defence Forces providing support to the National Police Service in Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia, and Samburu counties.
This announcement comes only hours after Interior CS Kithure Kindiki labeled bandits as agitated and dangerous. He stressed the need for decisive and severe action to prevent the spread of terror to innocent Kenyans and law enforcement personnel. The deployment of the military is expected to aid the planned operations against the shooters behind the recent spate of attacks.
Following the notification, Parliament is expected to convene to accept or reject the deployment of troops. In the past six months, over 100 villagers and 16 police officers have been killed in the Northern Rift Valley area due to marauding bandits and cattle rustlers. Several residents have also been displaced as a result of the attacks on schools, police vehicles, and other social services.
Kindiki reassured Kenyans that the government has put measures in place to deal with the banditry problem, adding that they will ensure that no Kenyan is killed as a result of the attacks. It remains to be seen how effective the deployment of troops will be in curbing banditry in the affected regions.
