The government will provide National Police Reservists with insurance cover, uniform and stipends, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has said.
Speaking in Baringo county on Thursday during the graduation of 200 NPRs, Kindiki acknowledged the role they play in containing banditry in the North Rift region and said the government values their efforts.
The event was held at the Kimalel Goat Auction market in Baringo South sub-county and attended by, among others, Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi, Deputy Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow and Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan.
The region had 92 NPRs, and the 200 additional officers will be divided equally to Baringo North and Baringo South to help security agencies fight banditry, which has led to the death of five people since January.
From July 1, the CS said NPRs will be able to access insurance coverage to allow them and their families to get treatment and medication, Kindiki said.
He said every NPR will get a standard uniform and shoes, which will be unveiled soon by his department.
The government, he said, is working to ensure the stipend is allocated for the NPRs to allow them to work effectively.
Kindiki urged the security agencies not to relent in fighting banditry but instead deliver in ending the menace, which has mainly affected Turkana, Baringo, Samburu, Laikipia, West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet.
"We must stop these bandits. We have made good progress by getting them out of their hideout, and the criminals in Korkoron and Tandere hills were cleared. The places are now a crime scene and anyone found there will be treated as a criminal," he added.
The CS said the government had set aside Sh100 million for the reconstruction of schools in Baringo South and Baringo North which were since destroyed by bandits.
The Kenya Defence Force will help reconstruct the schools that have remained closed since 2010.
Kindiki said the government will also hire 100 teachers from the affected areas, with Baringo South and North each getting 50 teachers. The areas face a shortage of staff because non-locals flee during skirmishes.
