Kindiki responds to Gachagua's ultimatum to address Meru banditry

This came after Gachagua threatened to mobilise residents living in the banditry-prone area to arm themselves if the government fails to take action within the stipulated period.

In a rebuttal on Monday, DP Kindiki shifted blame to Gachagua, arguing that he failed to address the vice when he was in office and lacks the range to lecture him over the crisis.

"You offered no support despite the high office you held then, not even a visit to Meru North to show solidarity with the people you now seem to have so much concern for," the DP wrote.

"You failed when you had the power and influence to assist the people, not just on security matters, but are you aware that you can not pinpoint one single development project you fought for its implementation anywhere in the Republic of Kenya while you were in office?"

He maintained that he still managed to quell the clashes while acting as the Interior Cabinet Secretary  — 2022 to 2024 — "sleeping in bush camps and coordinating security formations to crush bandit networks".

Kindiki reckoned that the clashes have existed in the region for over a decade and despite it being quelled, bandit attacks have only resumed over the last two weeks leading to a spike in loss of life and livestock.

"The Government will crush the criminals, like we did in 2023- 2024. To your shock and dismay, we will succeed," he noted.

He therefore noted that the government will take action, "not because of your empty and childish threats and ultimatums" but as an honour of executing its mandate of protecting Kenyans and their property.

An extensive security operation to wipe out the bandits in the region was deployed on Saturday, as the second-in-command asserted that the attacks will be met with brutal and lethal force on land and air in the region.

Kindiki revealed that specialized teams from the police service will be supported by the Kenya Defence Forces and will conduct a comprehensive security operation against the bandits.

Gachagua, who was speaking during a church service on Sunday, alleged that Kindiki turned a blind eye to the conflict in Meru, saying that he was prioritizing the banditry in the Rift Valley.

"When he was Interior CS, he was very active in fighting bandits in the Rift Valley and I asked him why he could not do that for the people in Meru. He said he will first work for his boss because he gave him the job," he claimed.

Gachagua said that the people of the Meru community are being killed while the State remains tight-lipped, a move he said he will take swift action on.

"As a child of Meru it will be irresponsible to keep quiet. I am giving the government of President Ruto and Kindiki 10 days to deploy security along the border with Samburu and Isiolo to protect the people of Meru from cattle rustling," he said.

"If they don't do so, I will have no choice but to move to the border and mobilize the people of Meru to arm themselves and defend their livestock."

The two political leaders have been trading barbs over who has proven to be competent at Kenya's second-most powerful position, as Kindiki has dared his rival to provide his track record, while Gachagua maintains his rival is not fit for leadership due to the crippled development of the nation.