Kindiki outlines new security measures for troubled Samburu

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki addressed the media outside the Samburu County Commissioner's office in Maralal town on February 27, 2024, where he announced new security measures to secure the troubled Samburu County. [Michael Saitoti, Standard]

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has announced new security measures to stem the rising wave of crime in Samburu County days after the killing of Angata Nanyokie MCA Paul Leshimpiro.

Prof Kindiki announced that a permanent security operation will be mounted in the region until calm is restored.

The CS further ordered the deployment of highway security patrols to curb highway robberies that have become rampant in the recent past.

Kindiki issued the directives on February 27, after Maa leaders led by Governors Patrick Ole Ntutu (Narok), Joseph ole Lenku (Kajiado), and Samburu's Lati Lelelit, led a demonstration in Maralal town to protest against banditry attacks that have led to the deaths of 200 people.

The CS reiterated the government's commitment to end banditry, which has claimed 72 lives in a span of four months.

He said like other forms of organised crime, the fight against cattle rustlers and bandits in northern Kenya requires unyielding focus and determination.

"Security agencies, local communities, and all interlocutors in the peace and security space must stay the course, periodically amend the strategic and tactical interventions for the suppression of this persistent vice," he told residents in Maralal town.

A year after the government launched a permanent operation to defeat the decades-old organised crime, the CS said time has come to change the operational interventions to seal gaps and secure the North.

Kindiki said more security measures will be announced next week to address pockets of insecurity within the northern rangelands.

He held a routine operational review with Samburu County Security Agency heads and Operation Maliza Uhalifu field commanders comprising of units along the Malaso Valley, at Maralal, Samburu County.

Meanwhile, members of the Samburu County Assembly led by Speaker Steve Lemarle have claimed their lives were in danger.

This follows the killing of MCA Leshimpiro by bandits last Sunday.

They claimed that the bandits from the neighbouring community have changed tact from cattle rustling to targeting local leaders in a bid to instill fear in the residents and make them vacate the land.

Lemarle said his members now require protection from the government, and each of them should be accorded security detail.

Elbarta ward rep Jeremia Leitoro said that the killing of Angta Nanyokie MCA was painful, and called on the government to beef up security, especially along Maralal - Baragoi road that has witnessed increased incidents of bandit attacks.

Nominated MCA Stacey Nareyo said they were shocked by the killing of their colleague and wonder who will be next.

"I ask the government to speed up and give the MCAs security," Nareyo said.