Crackdown on bandits: Kindiki, Duale summoned over legality of operation

With questions raised over the legality of the military deployment to Rift Valley to fight bandits since Parliament was not consulted, the Departmental Committee on Defense Intelligence and Foreign Relations has summoned Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki and his Defence counterpart Aden Duale.

Committee Chairman Nelson Koech avers that the notice on the deployment only quoted Section 241A and B and left out C which indicates that Parliament must be notified; this they say will feature in the deliberations.

“It is the responsibility of our committee to make sure the law was followed to the letter, and that is why we thought to rest the matter we would invite, not just the minister of Defense, but of Interior as well so that they tell us how this was done, who is leading the operation, and what is the cost implication to the country,” he said.

This comes as two suspected cattle rustlers were arrested and 23 guns recovered a week after a joint operation by the Kenya Police and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) was carried out in the six disturbed and dangerous' counties.

Despite the heightened security, the armed rustlers continued reigning terror, attacking the security forces in Kainuk, Turkana County, with reports indicating that some of the attackers were injured and are receiving treatment.

For two hours there was a fierce exchange of fire between the assailants and the security forces, resulting in the arrest of two of them.

Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr. Abdi Hassan said: “The bandits are indomitable, they are daring anyone...the days are numbered, they have come to an end. Anyone who dares security agencies will be met with force.”

With the three-day amnesty to those wielding illegal firearms to hand them over to government officers having lapsed, the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner sounded a warning to the assailants in Baringo, Laikipia ,Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot who were yet to heed to the directive.

“We have recovered 23 firearms in Samburu and Turkana County...amnesty ended, anyone willing to surrender will be allowed to...the second phase is now flushing out the criminals,” he said.

At the same time, residents of Loborngare, Samburu County, held protests following the sustained attacks by the raiders; this after the attackers struck three families in the wee hours of Thursday, making away with 47 goats.

The attack came after KDF officers visited the area to assess the security situation before mounting an attack; residents now urging the government to ensure the operation was successful.