Kindiki orders arrest of politicians fanning clashes

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki. [File, Standard]

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has ordered the arrest of politicians inciting the public to cause violence.

Prof Kindiki, who attended a security baraza in Turkana on Wednesday, sounded a warning shot to top security officers in the Rift Valley region condoning criminality in Narok and Turkana.

The Interior CS directed the region's Security and Intelligence Committee led by Regional Commissioner Hassan Abdi to crack the whip on politicians funding acts of violence.

Kindiki also announced the establishment of four new administrative units in Turkana County to aid in security efforts. The units will be located in Suguta, Lokriama, Aroo and Lokichogio sub-counties.

He also revealed a Sh20 billion budgetary allocation that he said would will help boost security efforts in the bandit-ravaged area.

"To boost the capacity of security officers in handling emerging and modern-day security concerns, the government will spend Sh20 billion to equip security teams with technology and equipment, including vehicles and planes as well as skills, with specialised formations handling crimes such as terrorism, cross-border crime and banditry," Kindiki said.

He spoke while assessing the banditry situation in Turkana, one of the six counties where a joint security operation is going on to flush out bandits. The others are Samburu, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo and Laikipia.

"All schools in Turkana East constituency that were raided and vandalised by bandits and armed criminals, among them Napeitom, Nadome, Lokidong'iru and Ng'ilukia will be immediately reconstructed. Kenya Defence Forces and National Youth Service officers will help in rebuilding the institutions. Sh100 million has been released for the purchase of construction materials," Kindiki said and lauded the successes witnessed in warding off the bandits.