Areas that were used by bandits as hideouts in the Rift Valey have been cleared and dominated by security forces, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has said.
Appearing before MPs, Kindiki said security forces had cleared hideouts in Baringo, Laikipia, Samburu, Turkana, West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
"The situation has improved. Areas that were being used as hideouts by bandits in Baringo, Laikipia, Samburu, Turkana, West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties have been cleared and dominated by security forces. Those bandits will never get to access those areas again," Kindiki said.
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However, Kindiki says that after orders were issued for the public to leave the affected areas, bandits took advantage of the situation and mixed with members of the public.
"Our intention is to make sure that the bandits never get access to those places again. We will do so by ensuring that our presence, the presence of security agencies in these areas is going to remain permanent even after we call off the operation. We will not withdraw the presence of security officers. They will dominate those areas and make it impossible for bandits to retreat to those areas," Kindiki added.
Bandits' hideouts
Some of the areas that were targeted in the operation include Korkoron Hills, Tandare Valley, Silale Gorges in Baringo County, Mukogodo Forest; Kamwenje, Warero and Ndonyoriwo; Lekuruki Hills, Losos and Kiape Caves and Sieku Valley in Laikipia County.
Others include Ltungai Conservancy, Longewan, Nasuur, Lochokia and Lekadaar Escarpments; Lolmolok Caves, Pura Valley, Malaso Escarpment and Suguta Valley in Samburu.
The security forces also targeted Kapelbok, Nakwamoru, Lebokat, Ombollion, Nadome and Kamur caves in Turkana County; the Turkwell Escarpment at the interface of West Pokot and Turkana Counties.
