President William Ruto has ordered a joint security exercise involving the National Police Service and the Kenya Defence Forces as the government increases its efforts to combat banditry in the troubled North Rift region.
The Head of State announced a three-day voluntary disarmament exercise starting tomorrow, Tuesday, February 14 while speaking to local leaders from the Nakuru State Lodge on Monday.
This allows for the surrender of firearms with no repercussions.
The president’s order comes just one day after he directed Interior Affairs CS Kithure Kindiki to relocate to the North Rift until all acts of banditry are stopped.
Speaking during a thanksgiving service in Nakuru on Sunday, Ruto announced that he had ordered Prof Kindiki to leave the Harambee Avenue office and return to the insecure region where he is expected to restore security.
“I know we have issues regarding security operations in North Rift. I have instructed Kindiki to leave his office in Nairobi and then go live in North Rift until these citizens stop losing their lives,” Ruto said.
He said his government has extensively strategised on fighting banditry in the coming days, saying he will ensure no more life lost through bandit attacks.
“With the government’s efforts, we will deal with them and ensure no Kenyan life is lost. We will deal with them ruthlessly,” he added.
