Troops from the North Rift have bombed a bandit hideout in Tandare valley, Baringo county.
Residents near the valley reported hearing the bombing at 6 a.m. on Thursday.
There were no further details available on the incident, as the area remained a no-go zone after the government’s ultimatum for residents to leave the area lapsed.
Dozens of people who escaped the targeted areas are camping in various places, desperate for food and shelter.
Residents in Tandare reported hearing loud explosions amid claims of a bombing targeting bandits still holed up there.
This came after the government assured those in the affected areas that the exercise would be carried out in accordance with the law.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki stated that residents’ fundamental rights and freedoms in the targeted areas will not be violated during the ground and air assault on suspected bandits.
“The government assures the public and all oversight agencies that no individual (will be) displaced from their home or places of habitual residence without support to settle elsewhere and lead their daily lives normally,” Kindiki said.
The counties of Samburu, Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, West Pokot, and Laikipia have been declared disturbed and dangerous by the government due to numerous and persistent incidents of violent bandit attacks.
Over the last seven months, marauding bandits have killed more than 140 people in the counties, including 20 security personnel.
Residents in designated areas where bandits are suspected to be hiding in caves, escarpments, forests, gorges, and rugged terrain were ordered to vacate before the operation began.
The most recent such ultimatum expired at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday. The National Police Service (NPS) is in charge of the joint security operation, which is aided by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
