KDF deployed to flush out bandits in volatile Baringo

President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered Kenya Defence Forces officers be deployed to Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot and Laikipia counties to flush out bandits who have been terrorizing residents.

Speaking in Embakasi during the passing out parade of Administration Police officers, Kenyatta said the KDF officers will supplement efforts by police officers to tame insecurity in the two counties that have seen tens of people killed and hundreds more displaced.

The Head of State noted that talks with area leaders to end the hostilities has not borne any fruit, warning those who do not surrender illegal arms that they will be dealt with ruthlessly as criminals in the fresh operation.

“The deployment will further assist in disarmament and surrender of illegally held arms,” President Kenyatta said.

President Kenyatta further affirmed his Administration’s commitment to guaranteeing the safety of citizens as well as the protection of their property as enshrined in the Constitution.

“Assuring citizens of safety and order is the pre-eminent duty of any nation.  It is a foundational function one which almost every other function of the Government and of society depends on,” President Kenyatta said.

The President asked police officers to shun bias and reject prejudice in favour of fairness, saying they should cultivate an atmosphere where the citizens they serve will become more trusting and less wary of men in uniform.

This comes even as a convoy carrying former Inspector General of Police, David Kimaiyo, and journalists, including a Citizen TV cameraman was attacked by bandits at Mukutani, Baringo as they traversed the affected areas.