President William Ruto has ordered all those holding illegal firearms in the troubled North Rift to surrender before a forceful disarmament operation kicks in. The president put bandits in the region on notice with a stern warning that the government will route out those causing mayhem in the region.
Speaking during an interdenominational thanksgiving service in Kabarnet, Baringo County, one of the areas affected by runaway insecurity, the Head of State said his administration will use all means to end the banditry, which has claimed several lives.
“We must do whatever it takes to bring peace to the North rift. Many people are peaceful but there are a few criminals who must stop or we will force them to stop.” The President said the government is in the process of reopening schools in the region that had been closed due to security.
President Ruto said there is no way vices like cattle rustling can continue to reign at the expense of people’s livelihood and development of the country.
This comes just a week after the President ordered the reinstatement of national police reservists in the banditry prone areas as the bandits continued to terrorize residents of Baringo, Samburu, West Pokot and Turkana counties
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua asked Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji, who was last week allowed to withdraw the Sh7.3 billion graft charges against the DP, to ensure that individuals who suffered from the same treatment are set free
President Ruto insisted that all schools that have been closed because of insecurity in the region will have to reopen while urging leaders to work together to end the menace.
“I visited the 20 affected schools, and they must reopen. We adore the people of this area. We are requesting that they leave the criminals to us. The question is not whether they will stop, but when,” he said.
According to the President, institutions will go a long way toward ensuring that public officials and citizens maintain high levels of integrity.
“As a government, we believe in establishing strong institutions that will help Kenya become a country where the rule of law is respected regardless of one’s social status,” added
By Marion Wafula
