Security forces enter bandit zones as 3-day amnesty to surrender guns expires

The high stakes security operation against bandits in 6 counties in the North Rift kicked off in earnest on Friday following the lapse of a three-day amnesty period where those in possession of illegal arms were supposed to have surrendered them to the government.

A convoy of military vehicles was spotted making its way into the troubled zone even as residents of the areas expressed confidence that this time round peace would be restored.

From those that ferried supplies to those that had personnel, activity at Marigat town, the gateway to Tiaty constituency, was brought to a standstill as residents watched the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) roll in.

The movement of more boots on the ground signified the proper kick-off of a high level multiagency operation that will bring together men and women in uniform from the National Police Service (NPS) and KDF.

At Kapedo, along the border of Baringo and Turkana counties, reveals a dusty deserted town, those who remained gave an account of how the insecurity has affected them.

Villagers of the hotspot area hope that the operation will bring with it solutions to the problems, saying their lives have been policed enough.

Along the roads that lead here, the heightened insecurity has paralysed public transportation, residents are forced to rely on police trucks. They are, however, not always lucky as the officers also have other duties to undertake.

The operation is expected to lead officers in the hilly areas of the disturbed and dangerous zone, deemed to be bandit hideouts.

For residents here they are hopeful that the deployment will bring peace and stability in the area to pave way for community and infrastructure development.