Interior Cabinet Secretary nominee Kithure Kindiki has defended the use of force by the police in bandit-stricken areas.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Committee of Appointments on Tuesday, October 18, the former Tharaka Nithi Senator said the state must firmly deal with criminals terrorising innocent Kenyans.
"I agree violence is not an option but it’s one of the options when it comes to the banditry issue because how will you engage with a criminal who has stolen cows from an innocent person and is hiding in a gorge?" Kindiki posed.
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"Even the most established democracies must use violence to protect the 99% of its citizens against the 1% that want to destroy our democracy. I have no apologies to make about this. Criminals have to be faced as criminals, period!" he added.
Kindiki, a lawyer by profession, also assured the nation that even in the security operations, the Kenya Kwanza administration will follow the law.
"Some force has to be used but I also assure the nation that we will follow the law."
Kindiki was responding to concerns from Pokot South MP David Pkosing over the conduct of security officers in regions battling the menace of bandit attacks.
Last month, 11 people including eight police officers were killed in a banditry attack in Turkana East.
In a statement, the National Police Service said a local chief and two civilians were killed in on September 25.
"The National Police Service regrets to inform on the criminal and cowardly ambush by cattle rustling bandits on innocent members of the public and police officers," the NPS said in a statement.
"A local chief, two members of the public and eight police officers succumbed to the injuries. We have dispatched additional officers to reinforce the troops on the ground in beefing up security in the area and pursue the bandits," said the NPS.
President William Ruto ordered security agencies to deal "firmly, decisively and conclusively" with the perpetrators.
Kindiki to fight for welfare of officers
Meanwhile, Kindiki on Tuesday also pledged to fight for the welfare of police officers across the country.
The former legislator said he believes that mental illness amongst officers is caused by work-related stress among others and affirmed that he would expand the wellness and counselling unit to help officers get the help they need.
"I believe the issues around mental illness in police service are linked to work-related stress, in this connection if I am approved by this honourable house and appointed by the president subsequently," he stated.
He added: "I intend to quip, expand, and fully capitalize the wellness and counselling unit, which I intend to link with the soon-to-be-established Kenya police service hospital and the Kenya prisons service hospital."
